Hazardous Earth - Case Study - Indonesia - Managing Volcanoes

Question 1

Background of Indonesia (3)

Answer 1

1. Plate boundary - convergent (subduction) -> Indo-Australian and Eurasian.
2. Type of eruptions - frequent; explosive; high threat from lahars (quantities of ash erupted) - humid tropical climate (> 1,800 mm rainfall per year).
3. Economic development - EDC = may not be able to manage/mitigate as well as AC countries.

Question 2

How does Indonesia mitigate against volcanic events?

Answer 2

Yet to have direct strategies to combat events- don’t have resources to successfully mitigate (EDC v AC).

Question 3

How does Indonesia mitigate against vulnerability from volcanoes? (4)

Answer 3

1. Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) upgraded monitoring instruments & widen geographical coverage = more than 60 volcanoes monitored today; sophisticated equipment measures gas emissions/inflation as magma rises etc.
2. National Agency for Disaster Management = lahar sensors & closed-circuit television have been installed to monitor locations at greater risk.
3. CVGHM works with local governments = advising them on mitigation strategies (i.e. community preparedness).
4. On Mount Merapi, permanent settlement banned on highest slopes around the crater - villagers on southern slopes encouraged to relocate to safer zones (in some case, receive financial incentive/a small plot of land).

Question 4

Limitations of Indonesia’s mitigation of vulnerability (3)

Answer 4

1. Capability of technology compared to AC countries = limited.
2. Previously Dutch colony (until end of WW2) - emergence into independence = political tension/violence among groups -> managing volcanoes given little priority.
3. Not all of Indonesia’s volcanoes are monitored.

Question 5

How does Indonesia mitigate against losses from volcanoes? (3)

Answer 5

1. Indonesia has some well-trained/equipped emergence services - i.e. the military are experienced in search & rescue.
2. Temporary shelters available in safe zones = in case of evacuation - sometimes these are upgraded into permanent residential areas.
3. Authorities clear river channels of volcanic material/other debris = reduce risk of flooding/contain certain lahars - some of material = commercial use (i.e. road building); people along river valleys have used to rebuild houses/community facilities.

Question 6

Limitations of Indonesia’s mitigation against losses (2)

Answer 6

1. People have strong bond with their village site/family fields = often return, rebuild and accept the risks.
2. EDC = resources it can deploy once an eruption is underway are limited - many of farming communities affected = limited resources.