VOLCANO GUIDE: Merapi

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View of Merbabu Volcano from Merapi

By galih jati , in Merapi , 0 Comments

Merababu as seen from Merapi Volcano II Post

Merbabu Volcano (3145m ASL) is one of the most popular volcano for the climbers in Central Java. It is an active volcano with fumarole field on its crater, but officially Merbabu is a dorman volcano. Last eruption recorded was in 1797. Until now there is only fumarole activity on its crater.

The word "Merbabu" is derived from "Meru" meaning mountain and "Babu" means women. Climbing Merbabu and combine it with Merapi is a challenging activity. The trekking for both volcanoes only need two nights.

The climbing for Merbabu will need around 8 hours from the closest village "Wekas" to the summit "Kentheng Songo 3145m ASL". There are 3 peaks on the top of Merbabu, the Syarif peak 3110m ASL, Tringulasi peak 3145m ASL, and Kentheng Songo 3142m ASL.

The best timing for the climbing is to start the trekking early morning or after lunch time. So the climber will get to the camping area nearby the summit before the dinner time. Bring good tend and warm cloth because the temperature ranged from 0 degree to 10 degree Celsius in the morning.

Contact Us to get the best tour offer for Merbabu and Merapi Climbing.

Volcanoes of Indonesia

Volcanoes of Indonesia

Indonesia is positioned at the intersection of four tectonic plates, Australian, Philippine, Eurasia and Pacific. This situation make Indonesia become special territory that attract many volcano experts who are enthusiastic about volcano. Indonesia has more active volcanoes than any other country, and the place for some of the world's most famous volcanoes, Krakatau (Krakatoa), Tambora, and Merapi.

The number of active volcanoes = 129 Volcanoes
The number of volcanoes that erupted in 400 years = 70 Volcanoes
The threatened area = 16,670 km
The number of people who are threatened = 5 million people

List of Volcanoes in Indonesia

Sumatra

Pulau Weh, Seulawah Agam, Peuet Sague, Geureudong, Kembar, Sibayak, Sinabung, Toba, Imun, elatoba-Tarutung, Sibualbuali, Lubukraya, Sorik Marapi, Talakamau, Sarik-Gajah, Marapi, Tandikat, Talang, Kerinci, Hutapanjang, Sumbing, Kunyit, Pendan, Belirang-Berit, Bukit Daun, Kaba, Dempo, Patah, Bukit, Lumut Balai, Besar, Ranau, Sekincau Belirang, Suoh, Hulubelu, Rajabasa

Sulawesi

Una Una, Ambang, Soputan, Sempu, Tondano, Lokon-Empung, Mahawu, Klabat, Tongkoko

Sangihe Islands

Ruang, Karangetang, Banua Wuhu, Awu, Unnamed

Papua

Umsini

West Java

Krakatau, Danau, Karang, Pulosari, Kiaraberes-Gagak, Perbakti, Salak, Gede, Patuha, Wayang-Windu, Malabar, Tangkuban Parahu, Kendang, Papandayan, Kawah Kamojang, Guntur, Tampomas, Galunggung, Talagabodas, Karaha, Cereme

Central Java

Slamet, Dieng, Sundoro, Sumbing, Ungaran, Telomoyo, Merbabu, Merapi, Lawu, Wilis, Muria

East Java

Kelut, Kawi-Butak, Arjuno-Welirang, Penanggungan, Malang Plain, Semeru, Bromo, Lamongan, Lurus, Iyang-Argapura, Raung, Ijen, Baluran, Lusi mud volcano

Banda Sea

Emperor of China, Nieuwerkerk, Gunung Api, Wurlali, Teon, Nila, Serua, Manuk, Banda Api

Bali

Batur, Bratan, Agung

Lombok

Rinjani

Sumbawa

Tambora

Flores

Wai Sano, Poco Leok, Ranakah, Inierie, Inielika, Ebulobo, Iya, Sukaria, Ndete Napu, Kelimutu, Egon, Ilimuda, Lewotobi, Leroboleng, Riang Kotang

Lesser Sunda

Paluwe, Sangeang Api, Gilbanta, Batu Tara, Sirung, Iliboleng,

Lembata

Ililabalekan, Iliwerung, Lewotolo

Halmahera

Tarakan, Dukono, Tobaru, Ibu, Gamkonora, Todoko-Ranu, Jailolo, Hiri, Gamalama, Tidore, Mare, Motir, Makian, Tigalalu, Amasing, Bibinoi

MERAPI VOLCANO (2968m ASL)

By galih jati , in Merapi , volcano , 0 Comments

Merapi Volcano

Merapi Volcano is the most active volcano in Indonesia. Some experts also said that this 2,968 m ASL (9,738 ft) high Volcano is also included as the most dangerous volcano in the world. It has erupted regularly since 1548. Typically, small eruptions occur every two to three years, and larger ones every 10–15 years or so. Remarkable eruptions, often causing many deaths, have occurred in 1006, 1786, 1822, 1872, and 1930. Thirteen villages were destroyed and 1400 people killed by the hot pyroclastic flows. Smoke can be seen emerging from the mountain top at least 300 days a year, and several eruptions have caused fatalities. Hot gas from a large explosion killed 27 people on November 22 in 1994, mostly in the town of Muntilan, west of the volcano. Another large eruption occurred in 2006, shortly before the Yogyakarta earthquake. In light of the hazards that Merapi poses to populated areas, it has been designated as one of the Decade Volcanoes. A very large eruption in 1006 is claimed to have covered all of central Java with ash. The volcanic devastation is claimed to have led to the collapse of the Hindu Kingdom of Mataram; however, there is insufficient evidence from that era for this to be substantiated.

Stratigraphic analysis reveals that eruptions in the Merapi area began about 400,000 years ago, and from then until about 10,000 years ago, eruptions were typically effusive, and the out flowing lava emitted was basaltic. Since then, eruptions have become more explosive, with viscous andesitic lavas often generating lava domes. Dome collapse has often generated pyroclastic flows, and larger explosions, which have resulted in eruption columns, have also generated pyroclastic flows through column collapse

Seismic monitoring for Merapi began in 1924, with some of the volcano monitoring stations lasting until the present. There are several observatory posts around Merapi, the Babadan (northwest location), Selo (in the saddle between Merbabu and Merapi), and Plawangan monitoring stations. All the station have been updated with modern equipments over the decades since establishment. During the 1950s and early 1960s some of the stations were starved of equipment and funds, but after the 1970s considerable improvement occurred with the supply of new equipment. Some of the pre-1930 observation posts were destroyed by the 1930 eruption, and newer posts were re-located. Similarly after the 1994 eruption, the Plawangan post and equipment were moved into Kaliurang as a response to the threat of danger to the volcanological personnel at the higher point.

On 25 October 2010 the Indonesian government raised the alert for Mount Merapi to its highest level and warned villagers in threatened areas to move to safer ground. People living within a 20 km (12.5 mile) zone were told to evacuate. Officials said about 500 volcanic earthquakes had been recorded on the mountain over the weekend of 23–24 October, and that the magma had risen to about 1 kilometre (3,300 ft) below the surface due to the seismic activity. On the afternoon of 25 October 2010 Mount Merapi erupted lava from its southern and southeastern slopes. The Volcano was still erupting on 30 November 2010 however due to lowered eruptive activity on 3 December 2010 the official alert status was reduced to level 3. 353 people were killed during the 2010 eruptions, many as a result of the pyroclastic flows. The ash plumes from the volcano also caused major disruption to aviation across Java.

The volcano is located approximately 28 kilometres (17 mill) north of Yogyakarta city, and thousands of people live on the flanks of the volcano, with villages as high as 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level. The name Merapi could be loosely translated as 'Mountain of Fire'. The etymology of the name came from Meru and Api, from the Javanese combined words, Meru means "mountain" refer to mythical mountain of Gods in Hinduism, and api means "fire". There is annual ceremony, according to the local tradition, function to keep the volcano quiet and to appease the spirits of the mountain. For Yogyakarta people, Merapi holds significant cosmological symbolism, because it is forming a sacred north-south axis line between Merapi peak and Southern Ocean (Indian Ocean). The sacred axis is signified by Merapi peak in the north, the Tugu monument near Yogyakarta main train station, the axis runs along Malioboro street to Northern Alun-alun (square) across Keraton Yogyakarta (sultan palace), Southern Alun-alun, all the way to Bantul and finally reach Samas and Parangkusumo beach on the estuary of Opak river and Southern Ocean.

This sacred axis connected the spirits of mountain revered since ancient times—often identified as "Mbah Petruk" by Javanese people—The Sultan of Yogyakarta as the leader of the Javanese kingdom, and Nyi Roro Kidul as the queen of the Southern Ocean, the female ocean deity revered by Javanese people and also mythical consort of Javanese kings. The Javanese regularly bring offerings for Merapi on the anniversary of the sultan of Yogyakarta's coronation.

JOURNEY TO THE TOP OF MERAPI

By galih jati , in Merapi , 0 Comments

Merapi Volcano Climbing

The team walked through the little paths of Merapi slopes. One little mistake can lead to disaster because if you stepped on the wrong place you will fall down to the deep cliff. But the fear suddenly cured by the magnificent view on our left. Everything was look so beautiful from the top. On this point, we saw Javanese eagle (Spizaetus bartelsi) flied across a hill in front of us. Near to Merapi, we saw mount Merbabu (3142 meters above sea level) and Telomoyo hill. Far away on the west, we can see mount Sumbing (3371 Meters ASL), Sundoro (3150 Meters ASL), and Slamet (3428 Meters ASL).

We passed several hills. We also crossed some lava stream. The first lava stream that we crossed contains of eruption material such as rock and sand. The stream is deep down so that we have to be very careful in order not to get slippery and fell down. The second larva stream is stony. This stream was formed of frozen lava, so the bottom of the stream from upstream to downstream was made of stone. This makes the view becomes more beautiful.

Next, we walked through a very steep hill. This hill leads us to Pasar bubrah plateau, the last post before reaching the garuda peak. We were stepping a ground made of solid cold lava. There were only stone and some highland plants. About 30 minutes, we arrived at pasar bubrah plateau. In this plateau, there are many big stones lying around all over the place. There is myth that the people in merapi consider this plateau as a traditional market of ghost. We took a rest for a while before continuing the journey to Garuda peak (the highest point of Merapi.

We left our bags on the pasar bubrah. The bags were take cared by our porter as we climbed to the garuda peak. The way to the peak was very dangerous because the ground we stepped up was not stable. The hill was made up of many big stones and sands, the stones can fall down at any time. This hill called Gunung anyar or New Mountain, actually gunung anyar was a lava dome that was created between 1902 -1911 at that time was also known as the east dome.

After the exhausting journey, we arrived at the top of the most active volcano in Indonesia. First, we visited Woro crater on the left side. Near that crater, there was Gendol crater, where the last eruption in 2006 took place. I tried hard to see that active summit lava dome but the smoke of the sulfur blocked me, caused suffocation for several minutes. Next, as we walked to garuda peak, we saw the death crater or kawah mati. We saw that the crater was filled with big stones and solid lava from the lava dome. Today, the famous garuda peak is only consisted of small part of its original, as the result of the volcanic earthquake of the eruption. For about 30 minutes staying on the top, we got down again to Pasar bubrah to get our lunch.

As we have planed, we got down to Selo where our driver picked up the team. The way down to Selo was also extremely beautiful. We walked through the peaks of hills, everything was so green and so beautiful.

VOLCANO GUIDE

CLIMBING ACTIVE VOLCANOES IN INDONESIA

View of Merbabu Volcano from Merapi

Volcanoes of Indonesia

Volcanoes of Indonesia

MERAPI VOLCANO (2968m ASL)

JOURNEY TO THE TOP OF MERAPI

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