Java volcano may erupt soon

SHARE: | |

Java volcano may erupt soon
mongabay.com
April 25, 2006

Residents living around Mount Merapi on the island of Java are preparing to flee if the volcano erupts, according to a report from Reuters.

The volcano, which has been spewing smoke for almost two weeks, has killed nearly 1,400 people in two eruptions since 1930. According to Reuters, government officials have advised residents to leave the foothills of the volcano, but have not made any official orders.

Vulcanologists say that the volcano could erupt by the end of April.

Mount Merapi is the youngest in a group of volcanoes in southern Java and has erupted at least 68 times since 1548. Accordingly, its name means "mountain of fire". In the shadow of Mount Merapi, lies Borobudur, an ancient Buddhist temple complex that is popular tourist attraction.

Volcano outside Yogjakarta on the island of Java, Indonesia

According to Wikipedia, in 1006 a very large eruption blanketed all of central Java with ash and may have been ultimately responsible for the collapse of the Hindu Kingdom of Mataram civilization. Shortly thereafter, Muslims became the rulers of Java.

SHARE: | |

News index | RSS | News Feed

Advertisements:

Organic Apparel from Patagonia | Insect-repelling clothing

MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)

CONTENTS

Rainforests
Tropical Fish
News
Madagascar
Pictures
Kids' Site
Languages
TCS Journal
About
Archives
Topics | RSS
Newsletter