The eruption of Mount Merapi in Indonesia has left thousands homeless as the government struggles to respond to the disaster. Beginning on October 26, 2010, the Mount Merapi eruption has lasted more than 120 hours, beating a previous record made in 1872. The death toll has reached 194 people and is still climbing.
The volcano’s initial eruption occurred less than 24 hours following a tsunami — caused by a 6.0 magnitude earthquake — that hit the western borders of the country. The tsunami itself washed away numerous villages, leaving thousands homeless and killing at least 438 people.
Over 340,000 citizens were left homeless by the two successive attacks. Many currently live in government camps. Numerous relief operations have been mobilized to provide support.
However, according to Djarot Nugroho, director of Central Java's disaster-management agency, money for food and medical supplies will run out soon unless a national disaster is declared.
The 194 reported casualties include deaths from respiratory distress, heart attacks, direct contact with molten lava and other related illnesses. In addition, countless people have been hospitalized due to injuries related to the eruption.
Presently, volcanic debris has contaminated many rivers near Mount Merapi. Lava flow has the potential to overwhelm the rivers and spark flash floods.
Government officials have advised locals to stay at least 500 meters away from the edge of the river. Furthermore, a “danger zone” has been marked off around the volcano to minimize fatalities and confusion.
Lava flow accompanied by volcanic ash has enveloped the air and has destroyed over 3400 acres of fertile land and fruit trees, eradicating a major source of national income.
The archipelago of Indonesia situates between the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Alpide belt — the world’s two most active seismic regions.
Due to underlying tectonic movements, these regions are subjected to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Mount Merapi is a stratovolcano, characterized by its steep conical shape and periodic explosive eruptions. Cool lava gradually builds up within the volcano, creating a lava plug that traps hot gas and magma. Eventually, pressure increases to a critical point; hot gases explode out of the volcano, covering the skies with volcanic dust.
Merapi has been active for around 10,000 years. Its last eruption occurred in 2006 and lasted an entire month. Its worst eruption, which took place in 1930, caused over 1300 deaths and destroying most of the area's agriculture.
The volcanic activity of Mount Merapi has been changing daily, at times hourly. As a result, scientists have struggled to predict when the eruption will finally end. To complicate matters, the presence of a lava dome has allowed for the further build up pressure in the volcano. This may cause the eruption to last even longer than past disasters.
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