volcano merapi - EDC - IMPACTS

Question 1

INTRO VIDEO

Answer 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjGa8fpQ5OA&list=PLdgqkwfRbp5zU3trvAEDkLWBCAhGufG-B&index=10

Question 2

Merapi location

Answer 2

• Located in Indonesia (EDC)
• Very active volcano at a Destructive Margin where the Indo- Australian Plate subducts under the Eurasian Plate

Question 3

Date & Time of Eruption

Answer 3

• Eruptions occurred from 26th October to December 2010 (3 eruptions)

Question 4

Type of Eruption

Answer 4

The subduction led to increase in temp & pressure, releasing water from rocks and generating lava domes

Large & destructive eruption
* Composite/Stratovolcano volcano with Explosive eruption VEI=4
* Andesitic Lava (viscous)

Question 5

Nature of Hazard

Answer 5

• Pyroclastic flows extended 22km2
• Ash cloud (1.5km high)
• Basaltic lava flows, lahars
• Volcanic bombs & heat clouds (800 degrees C and up to 10km)

Question 6

Management of Eruption

Answer 6

• Monitoring was in place (e.g., seismograph & SAR radar) which provided some warning & evacuations

Question 7

Physical Factors affecting scale of imoacts (relief)

Answer 7

• Volcano has steep sides leading to fast flow of lava & pyroclastic flows

Question 8

Human Factors affecting scale of impacts

Answer 8

• Densely populated areas around volcano led to casualties
• Community believes Merapi has spiritual significance & is sacred, leading people to stay close

Question 9

Reasons for Settlement Near Merapi

Answer 9

• 75% of Indonesia’s population live within 100km of a volcano that has erupted in past 10,000 years
• Farming - Fertile soil for agriculture & livestock
• Geothermal energy
• Sand mining
• Landscape leads to tours & safari, boosting tourism

Question 10

Economic Factors affecting scale of impacts

Answer 10

• Economic Development level = EDC
• Lack of robust infrastructure & limited resources in rural areas
• Economy largely focused on agriculture with some tourism

Question 11

What were the social impacts of teh eruption?

Answer 11

The eruption led to the displacement of around 350,000 people, causing overcrowding and poor hygiene conditions in refugee camps

Over 300 people lost their lives due to the eruption2.

Question 12

What were economic impacts

Answer 12

The eruption caused major disruption to aviation across the region and roads were blocked as residents tried to flee the hazard zone.

The economic losses from the eruption surpassed $600 million due to the death of livestock and damage to the tourism, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors.

Question 13

what were the environmental imoacts

Answer 13

The ash plumes from the eruption reached altitudes of 18km and fell up to 30km away from the peak of the volcano.

The layer of ash on the ground was 2-4cm thick and damaged 200 hectares of forest.

The eruptions triggered lahars—mudflows formed from volcanic debris mixing with water—which inundated villages and destroyed everything in their path.

Question 14

what were the political impacts

Answer 14

The eruption led to the displacement of a large number of people, causing a significant strain on the government’s resources1.

The government had to allocate funds for recovery and rebuilding efforts, highlighting the role of effective governance and external support in managing natural disaster impacts6.

Question 15

what was the impact of Indonesias EDC status

Answer 15

1. Infrastructure & Preparedness
   Indonesia had some infrastructure & resources to monitor volcano & implement evacuation plans.
2. Economic Resilience
   Despite huge disruption it was able to withstand economic shocks.
   Other sectors benefitted eg tourism. Economy grew by 10%
3. Tourism Boost
   Eruption Publicity TourismInfrastructure investment $$
4. Strong Governance
   Coordinated response & people educated so knew what to do. Assed response improvements in future