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Report on Merapi (Indonesia) — 16 March-22 March 2011


Merapi

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 16 March-22 March 2011
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2011. Report on Merapi (Indonesia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 16 March-22 March 2011. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (16 March-22 March 2011)

Merapi

Indonesia

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


According to news articles, on 21 March a lahar traveled through the village of Sleman, approximately 20 km SW of Merapi, burying 21 homes in addition to vehicles and livestock. At least 200 residents were evacuated.

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.

Source: The Jakarta Post