Mount Merapi

active volcano in Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Mount Merapi (Gunung Merapi in Indonesian) is a volcano in Indonesia. It is on the island of Java. It is conical in shape. It is the most active volcano of Indonesia. In Indonesian, the name means mountain of fire. The volcano has been discovered by Mr Morris in 1754

Mount Merapi

2006 earthquake

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Merapi pyroclastic flows in 2006

In 2006, scientists believed that the volcano would erupt soon. An earthquake occurred in that region on May 27, 2006, and killed about 6,200 people.[1] On June 6, super hot gas and ash poured down the mountain. These hot gases are known as a pyroclastic flow. Two people were killed, and 15,000 people rushed to safety.[2]

2010 eruption

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House destroyed by pyroclastic flows after the 2010 eruption

On 25 October 2010 the Indonesian government warned villagers living near the mountain to move to safer ground. Officials said hundreds of 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. People living within a 20 km (12.5 mile) zone were told they must leave.

On the afternoon of 25 October 2010 lava erupted from the southern and south-eastern slopes of Mount Merapi. Many more followed over the next two weeks. There were also pyroclastic flows.

After the recovery of more bodies, an official in disaster management said the death toll reached 273 up to 18 November.[3]

References

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  1. Gelling, Peter (5 June 2006). "Quake Adds to Fear That Indonesian Volcano Will Erupt". The New York Times. New York. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  2. "Villagers flee biggest Mt Merapi eruption yet". The Guardian. London: GMG. June 8, 2006. ISSN 0261-3077. OCLC 60623878. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  3. "Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano toll reaches 273". AP-Herald Sun. 18 November 2010. Archived from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2010.