MOUNT MERAPI

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Context

• Mount Merapi in Indonesia's West Sumatra region recently erupted, shooting white-and-grey ash plumes into the air for more than 3,000 meters (approximately 9,800 feet).

About

• Merapi is an active volcano located in Central Java, Indonesia.
• Its name means “Mountain of Fire” in the Javanese language.
• It is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world, with a history of frequent and sometimes violent eruptions.
• The last major eruption occurred in 2010, which resulted in the deaths of over 350 people and caused widespread damage to nearby villages.
• Despite the risks, Merapi is a popular destination for hikers and tourists who come to marvel at its stunning beauty and geological significance.

Why are there more volcanoes in Indonesia?

• Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire.
• It has about 17,000 islands and islets, as well as nearly 130 active volcanoes.
• The Ring of Fire, also known as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a line along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
• The quantity of movement of tectonic plates in the area causes the abundance of volcanoes and earthquakes along the Ring of Fire.
• Plates converge at convergent boundaries known as subduction zones over much of the Ring of Fire. That is, the plate below is pushed down or subducted by the plate above.
• Subducted rock melts and turns into magma.
• The availability of magma so close to the Earth's surface creates ideal circumstances for volcanic activity.
• A notable exception is the boundary between the Pacific and North American Plates.
• This section of the Ring of Fire is a transform boundary, which means that plates move sideways past one another.
• As stress in the Earth's crust builds up and releases, this type of boundary causes a huge number of earthquakes.

With approximately 120 active volcanoes spread around the country, Indonesia has a large number of active volcanoes. Other significant volcanoes in Indonesia include:

• Mount Krakatoa – Located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra.
• It is infamous for its 1883 eruption, which was one of the deadliest and most destructive volcanic events in recorded history.
• Mount Rinjani – Located on the island of Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara province.
• It is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia and a popular destination for trekkers and hikers.
• Mount Tambora – Located on the island of Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara province.
• It is known for its 1815 eruption, which was the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history, causing a “year without summer” in the northern hemisphere.
• Mount Batur – Located on the island of Bali in Bali province.
• It is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic views and hot springs.
• Mount Merbabu – Located on the island of Java in Central Java province.
• It is the highest mountain in Central Java and a popular destination for hikers and climbers.

Key Facts about the Pacific Ring of Fire

• It is a region on the Pacific Ocean's margin where numerous tectonic plates collide. This area is well known for its seismic and volcanic activity.
• It stretches for over 40,000 kilometers and is home to around 75% of the world's active volcanoes and 90% of the world's earthquakes.
• The Pacific Plate, the Earth's largest tectonic plate, advances northwest and collides with smaller plates, forming a subduction zone.
• As the plates clash, friction and pressure build up, resulting in volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
• Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and the West Coasts of North and South America are all part of the Ring of Fire.