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Report on Merapi (Indonesia) — November 1976


Merapi

Natural Science Event Bulletin, vol. 1, no. 14 (November 1976)
Managing Editor: David Squires.

Merapi (Indonesia) Ash clouds rising 3 km; nuées ardentes down the SW flank

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 1976. Report on Merapi (Indonesia) (Squires, D., ed.). Natural Science Event Bulletin, 1:14. Smithsonian Institution. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.NSEB197611-263250



Merapi

Indonesia

7.54°S, 110.446°E; summit elev. 2910 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Merapi was unusually active on 6 and 7 November, emitting 3,000-m ash clouds, and nuées ardentes that moved 2.5 km down the SW flank. No casualties or serious property damage were reported. The new dome, which began growing after the March activity, had an estimated volume of 20,000 m3 in June.

Geological Summary. Merapi, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, lies in one of the world's most densely populated areas and dominates the landscape immediately north of the major city of Yogyakarta. It is the youngest and southernmost of a volcanic chain extending NNW to Ungaran volcano. Growth of Old Merapi during the Pleistocene ended with major edifice collapse perhaps about 2,000 years ago, leaving a large arcuate scarp cutting the eroded older Batulawang volcano. Subsequent growth of the steep-sided Young Merapi edifice, its upper part unvegetated due to frequent activity, began SW of the earlier collapse scarp. Pyroclastic flows and lahars accompanying growth and collapse of the steep-sided active summit lava dome have devastated cultivated lands on the western-to-southern flanks and caused many fatalities.

Information Contacts: D. Hadikusumo, Volcanology Division, GSI; D. Shackelford, Villa Park, CA; UPI.