Main question

What were the effects of the Mount Merapi eruption?

• Resource A

  
  

  Mt. Merapi - Indonesia
  
  

  
  

  Located on the island of Java, Indonesia. It is near the margin of the Eurasian and Indo-Australian plates.
  
  A composite volcano that erupts often. Since 1920 deaths have been caused by ten eruptions. The eruptions are often explosive.
  
  September 2010 seismic activity increased - a sign that an eruption was imminent. Ash clouds were seen above the crater and the sides of the mountain began to swell. On 25th October 2010 a major eruption began.

  
  
  

  Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Indonesia_relief_location_map.jpg
  This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Licence.
  Creawdwr y map: Uwe Dedering.

• Resource B

  
  

  Satellite image 15, November 2010. The vegetation is green and deposits from the pyroclastic flow are light grey. Clouds of white ash obscure parts of the volcano.
  
  

  
  

  Source: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA13634
  Image credit: NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team

• Resource C

  
  

  Short term effects and responses

  • • Volcanic bombs and hot gases (800 ° C) reached as far as 11km from the volcano.
  • • Lava flowed from the mountain.
  • • Ash clouds up to 5km in altitude. Ash fell up to 30km away.
  • • Pyroclastic flows reached speeds of 100km/ hour and spread 3km down the mountain.
  • • Rainfall caused lahars.
  • • 280,000 people evacuated from the area - this saved thousands of lives.
  • • 353 people died, mainly from pyroclastic flows.
  • • Over 2,000 homes destroyed.
  • • Many farmers lost their livelihood. Food prices rose.
  • • A number of roads were closed due to lava or for safety reasons.
  • • Airports closed and hundreds of international flights were postponed.
  • • Losses of about $ 781 million.
  • • Sulphur dioxide was blown across Indonesia and as far afield as Australia.
  • • 1600 people assisted - volunteers and the army. The Red Cross and Indonesian Red Crescent led charity support. International Support, e.g. the European Union donated $1.5 million.

  Long term effects and responses

  • • Conservation area created in the area where it is too dangerous for people to live. Tourists visit to see the volcano - employment.
  • • Official specialist refuge centres established.
  • • 3,000 people had to leave their homes permanently.
  • • The government set up a taskforce to support people affected by the volcano - family issues, unemployment, etc. Farmers were given money to purchase animals.
  • • Some global cooling as a result of the ashes.

• Resource D