Volcanoes in Indonesia. Volcanoes of Indonesia Why are there many active volcanoes in Indonesia?

The Sinabung volcano has awakened on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The island declared the highest level of danger and began an emergency evacuation of tourists and residents.

Associated Press reports.

Thousands of residents and tourists have become hostages in Indonesian resorts due to a new eruption of Mount Sinabung.

Photos and videos that appeared online show how a column of volcanic ash rose from the crater to a height of more than 5 thousand meters. Experts have already reported that this eruption will significantly complicate aviation flights. It is expected that in the future the cloud will go to south direction. The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency, in turn, reported that clouds of hot ash spread 4.9 thousand meters to the south.

According to rescuers, there were no casualties or injuries as a result of the eruption. During the emergency evacuation, almost 3 thousand residents left their homes.

Volcanic eruption in Indonesia

A 5-kilometer column of smoke and dust rose into the sky on the island of Sumatra

Emergency evacuations are being carried out on the island of Sumatra

Volcano awakens in Indonesia, rescuers begin emergency evacuation

The Australian agency responsible for monitoring volcanic ash in the region, for its part, announced a “red level” of danger for airlines.

What is happening now on the island of Sumatra, watch the video.

Note that Sinabung is just one of more than 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia. For several centuries it was considered dead, but became active again in 2010. In early 2014, the Sinabung eruption resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people.

15. Volcano Merapi in Indonesia is one of the largest and dangerous volcanoes peace. Large eruptions occur on average every 7 years, small ones - approximately 2 times a year. The volcano smokes almost every day, making it clear to local residents that it is ready to begin direct duties at any moment. In the 19th century, 9 powerful eruptions were recorded, in the first half of the 20th century - 13. In 1930, about 1,300 people died during the eruption. 14. The last major eruption of the Colima volcano in Mexico was noted on June 8, 2005. Then the ejected ash rose to a height of more than 5 km, which forced the authorities to evacuate people from nearby villages. The volcanic mountain consists of 2 conical peaks, the highest of them is an extinct volcano, and the other peak is the active Colima volcano with a height of 3846 m, called the Mexican Vesuvius. Colima has erupted more than 40 times since 1576 and today poses a potential threat not only to residents of nearby cities, but also to all of Mexico. 13. Santa Maria stratovolcano is located in western Guatemala. After 500 years of dormancy, an eruption in 1902 killed 6,000 people. Most people were crushed by the deadly shower of rocks, some weighing more than a ton. The explosion was so strong that it was heard even 800 km away in Costa Rica. Volcanic ash covered an area of ​​323 thousand square kilometers and rose to a height of 29 kilometers. This eruption is considered the largest in the entire history of volcanic emissions into the atmosphere. 12. The crater of the active Taal volcano in the Philippines is located at an altitude of only 350 meters above sea level. A small lake formed in the crater. Taal is the smallest active volcano of the planet, however, do not underestimate its power. On January 30, 1911, Taal Volcano erupted, the most powerful eruption of the 20th century, killing 1,335 people. In 10 min. all living things ceased to exist at a distance of 10 km. The ash cloud was seen from a distance of 400 km. The last eruption took place in 1965, killing about 200 people. 11. Volcano Unzen in Nagasaki is currently considered weakly active. However, volcanic activity has been recorded since 1663. The volcanic eruption in 1792 is one of the five most destructive eruptions in human history in terms of the number of human casualties. As a result of this disaster, 15,000 people died due to the tsunami that was caused by the eruption, the wave height reached 23 meters. And in 1991, 43 scientists and journalists were buried under lava that rolled down the slope of the volcano. 10. One of the largest and most dangerous volcanoes, Popocatepetl, is located just an hour’s drive from Mexico City. The height of the volcano above sea level is 5 and a half thousand meters. For a long time the volcano was considered extinct, but at the end of the 20th century it began to awaken. And in 2011, this volcano erupted again. 9. Nyiragongo volcano, 3469 meters high, is located in the Virunga Mountains in central Africa. The main crater of the volcano is 250 meters deep and 2 km wide; a lava lake sometimes forms in it. Nyiragongo lava is unusually liquid and flowing. During an eruption, lava streams flowing along the slope of the volcano can reach speeds of 100 km/h. Regularly causing destruction, the volcano in 2002 alone claimed the lives of 147 people, caused damage and left several thousand people homeless. 8. The Mauna Loa volcano, located in Hawaii, is considered the largest active volcano on Earth by volume and belongs to the group of megavolcanoes. Its volume is 75,000 cubic kilometers, and the diameter of the crater is 6.2x2.5 km. There is a volcanological station on the volcano, where constant observations have been carried out since 1912. The last eruption of this giant occurred in 1984, and one of the strong ones occurred in 1950, which completely destroyed a Hawaiian village. 7. Galeras Volcano is located in South America on the territory of Colombia. The height of the volcano reaches more than 4 km above sea level. In 2010, due to the threat of a major eruption, more than eight thousand residents were evacuated from surrounding villages. The highest “red” level of alert was declared in the region. In 1993, six geologists were killed while conducting research in the crater when an eruption began. 6. The Sierra Negra shield volcano in the Galapagos is also on the list of the most dangerous and large volcanoes peace. Sierra Negra has the second largest crater in the world with a diameter of 11 kilometers and an altitude of 1124 m. The last powerful eruption of Sierra Negra occurred in 2005. 5. Ulawun Volcano is located on the island of New Guinea. It is one of the most frequently erupting volcanoes in the world. At first, the volcano was invisible above the surface of the water and caused powerful tsunamis when it erupted underwater. But in 1878, it rose under the pressure of faults in the earth's crust, after which above-ground eruptions began. One of the most dangerous eruptions occurred on May 28, 1937, when the country's capital was literally covered in ash. A total of 22 volcanic eruptions have occurred since the beginning of the 18th century. The last eruption occurred in 2007. 4. The Sakurajima volcano is located in Japan and almost constantly causes concern among residents. In 1914, as a result of a volcanic eruption, the island on which Sakurajima is located ceased to be an island. A large amount of magma rushed into the bay, connecting it to the mainland. And the eruption of 1779 killed more than 140 people. Due to its activity, the volcano is one of the most popular attractions among tourists. The last eruption occurred in 2010. 3. The active volcano Etna in Sicily is also one of the largest and most dangerous volcanoes in the world. As a result of lateral eruptions, Etna has 400 craters. On average, the volcano erupts lava once every three months. In 2008, Etna's eruption lasted 419 days, and in 1928 - only a few days, but destroyed the town of Mascali. Etna's longest eruption began in 1614 and lasted 10 years, forming Monte Nero - the Black Mountain. 2. Volcano Vesuvius, located in Naples, is one of the three active volcanoes of Italy. Vesuvius is the only active volcano in continental Europe. There are records of more than 80 significant eruptions, the most famous of which occurred on August 24, 79 AD, when the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae were destroyed. One of the last strong eruptions occurred in 1944. 1. The volcano in Yellowstone Park in the USA, the main cause of the end of the world in the 2012 film, is considered potentially the most powerful volcano in the world. Scientists classify this miracle of nature as a supervolcano - that is, many times larger and more powerful than ordinary ones. Supposedly three strongest eruption Yellowstone Volcano have already taken place in history. The interval between eruptions is 600 thousand years, and according to preliminary estimates, 640 thousand years have passed since the last eruption. In 1959, Yellowstone was hit by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that killed 28 people. Volcanologists say that after the eruption, the planet will face global cooling, famine and large-scale disasters.

As you know, Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, on a line thousands of kilometers long where the Indo-Australian and Eurasian lithospheric plates collide. It is to this complex geological process that every volcano in Indonesia owes its appearance.

There are interesting statistics that show that Indonesia is a world leader in many aspects of volcanic activity. This region has the largest number of active volcanoes and ranks second, after Japan, in the number of confirmed eruptions. The country's high population density has led to Indonesia leading in the number of eruptions that have resulted in casualties. The most terrible and destructive thing happened at the end of the 19th century, when the eruption of the raging Krakatau volcano and the tsunami caused by it led to the death of about 36 thousand people, 295 cities and villages were washed into the sea, many of them were destroyed even before the tsunami approached by the shock wave that fell equatorial forests on the coast of the Sunda Strait and tore off the roofs of houses in Jakarta, 150 kilometers from the site of the disaster. The consequences of the eruption were felt to varying degrees in all areas globe. And these days, Indonesian volcanoes often produce “noise effects” and throw columns of ash and portions of lava onto the surface.

The famous expression “they live like on a volcano” can be literally applied to Indonesians. But in order to understand what it’s like to live in the country of volcanoes, you need to see this miracle with your own eyes at least once, I thought, and got busy organizing our trip to Indonesia with mandatory visit active volcanoes.

Fear of volcanoes is not in the first place on the list of my fears; the top priority has long been given to the tsunami, but still a slight chill from the upcoming meeting with the fire-breathing mountains was felt. And I really hoped that during our visit all the monsters would sleep quietly and peacefully. But two volcanoes still added fuel to the fire of my worries. On May 24, the Merapi volcano, which is located 30 kilometers from Yogyakarta on the island of Java, erupted; photos and videos of a huge column of ash spread throughout the world’s media; due to the increased danger, the city’s airport was closed for some time. And on July 2, Agung on the island of Bali became more active, the local population from the surrounding areas was evacuated, and a zone within a radius of 4 kilometers was closed to visitors. On July 6, we set foot on Indonesian soil at Denpasar airport.

The first volcano we saw is located in the northeast of Bali - this is a volcano Gunung Batur or simply Batur. The volcano is easily accessible with about a 40-minute drive from the popular town of Ubud. Batur is an active volcano that experiences tremors from time to time. The largest emission over the past decade was recorded in 1999-2000, when the ash column reached more than 300 meters in height. Residents of villages located at the foot could observe minor activity of the volcano in June 2011.

Volcanoes are creations of Mother Nature, which attract with their beauty and at the same time pose a huge danger to humanity and all life on our planet. Some people only see them in pictures, while others practically live next to them. One of the countries that has a huge number of volcanoes is Indonesia.

Getting to know the country

Many Russians who actively use tourist services, traveled to Indonesia. If you ask people who have once been here about what this country is like, many will start talking about Bali. It is with this island that travelers associate Indonesia. In fact, the named state is not only the island of Bali. This is more than 17 thousand small islands.

It so happens that Bali is the most popular island Indonesia in terms of tourism. It attracts travelers interesting story and temples preserved from ancient times, their amazing landscapes, tropical forests, endless beaches. The island is also famous for its impressive volcanoes. By the way, Indonesia is famous for these natural attractions. Currently, the country is a leader in the number of active volcanoes (78) and in the number of eruptions leading to human casualties (114).

Kelimutu

Some Indonesian volcanoes deserve special consideration. One of them is Kelimutu. It is located on the island of Flores. Its last activity was recorded in 1968, which means that the last eruption occurred half a century ago. Now Kelimutu is a popular tourist attraction, a real miracle of nature.

What is striking about the volcano on the island of Flores? Its amazing attractions are 3 lakes. Nature has transformed the volcano in 50 years. Lakes about 1650 m deep formed in its collapsed peaks. One lake has a dazzling turquoise hue, while the rest are emerald green and brownish red, sometimes black.

Legends associated with Kelimutu

The inhabitants of the island of Flores have developed mystical beliefs in relation to the volcano. People believe that lakes are other world, and each of them was formed for certain dead. The turquoise lake is intended for young and innocent souls, the emerald green one is for people who died at an old age and lived their lives with dignity, and the brownish red one is for sinners who did bad deeds, killed people, living beings.

The lakes of Kelimutu volcano are separated by thin barriers. Residents who believe in an otherworldly life are sure that the walls were formed for a reason. They point out to people that there is a very thin and fragile line between good and evil. A person who destroys it during life through his atrocities or wrong actions ultimately dooms his soul after death to exist in darkness among evildoers.

Sinabung

One of the famous volcanoes in Indonesia is located in the northern part of the island of Sumatra. Its name is Sinabung. This is an active volcano, which Lately periodically awakens and instills horror and panic in the inhabitants of the island. Its first sudden eruption began in August 2010. Until this moment, the volcano had been dormant for more than 4 centuries.

Subsequent eruptions were recorded every year. The victims were reported in the media in February 2014. During the next eruption, a local television journalist and members of the Indonesian Christian student movement GMKI died. They wrote in the media about 4 children. The students came with their school teacher to see the eruption up close. Unfortunately, their educational trip to the Sinabung volcano in Indonesia ended tragically.

Volcanoes of Java

Perhaps the second most visited place after Bali is the Indonesian island of Java. Tourists either choose it as the main goal of their trip or visit it after excursions in Bali. The island of Java attracts with its natural attractions. Among them we can highlight National Park Bromo-Tengger-Semeru. It attracts travelers with its dangerous romance, because it is home to volcanoes such as Semeru, Kursi, Bromo, Batok.

Of the listed volcanoes, Bromo is attractive to tourists because it is the most photogenic. It is an active volcano in Indonesia. Periodically erupting clouds of smoke and sulfur create an amazing spectacle that travelers want to capture on camera.

Ijen

When considering the island of Java, one cannot fail to mention the Ijen volcano. It is located in the National Park of the same name. The volcano is interesting because a lake of an apple-greenish hue has formed in its caldera. This place is sometimes called hellish. There are several reasons. Firstly, the lake is hot. On its surface the temperature is about 60 degrees. At depth it is higher. There the temperature exceeds 200 degrees.

The shores of the lake, which belongs to the Ijen volcano in Indonesia, make it especially unusual. Sulphurous rollers are cast on them in gold. Local residents here are engaged in sulfur mining. They work in inhumane conditions, because the air contains harmful gases and vapors. People work in masks, and without it, acute coughing attacks occur.

Tambora

Among the Indonesian volcanoes, Tambora entered history. It is located on the island of Sumbawa. This creation of nature is associated with the most powerful eruption that humanity has seen in its lifetime. A tragic event occurred in 1815. Until this moment, the volcano had not erupted for several centuries. In 1815, the total volume of lava and ash was 150-180 km 3.

At the moment of the eruption, a powerful explosion occurred. It was even heard by residents of the island of Sumatra, located 2 thousand km away. The entire area, located at a distance of 600 km, was plunged into darkness after a volcanic eruption in Indonesia. According to approximate estimates, terrible a natural phenomenon killed 12 thousand people. About 60 thousand people later died from hunger and diseases that were a consequence powerful eruption.

Tambora today

After 1815, several small eruptions were recorded, but they were not so large-scale or tragic. Currently, the volcano continues to be considered active. He is being carefully monitored, because such a colossal number of victims cannot be allowed anymore.

Now, according to experts, this powerful volcano in Indonesia does not pose a threat to local residents. But, despite this, a special plan for the prevention and elimination of emergency situations has been developed. According to it, the nearby territory was divided into 2 zones. One of them is considered dangerous. During an eruption in this area, everything will be destroyed by lava and ash. IN danger zone Now it is forbidden for people to live. Another part of the nearby territory is an area of ​​increased attention. It may be indirectly affected by an eruption in the future. Local residents are allowed to live in this area. Now it houses several settlements.

Each volcano in Indonesia is interesting in its own way. Travelers going to this country for vivid impressions and unusual memories should visit at least one of them. Some volcanoes, as mentioned above, attract with their dangerous romance, others attract with mystical legends, and still others arouse interest in connection with what happened major eruptions in the distant past.

Indonesia's volcanoes have a huge number of active ones. This is due to the fact that the territory of this state is located directly on the Pacific Ring of Fire. This is a conventional line thousands of kilometers long where the Indo-Australian and Eurasian lithospheric plates collide. It is to this complex geological process that every volcano in Indonesia owes its appearance. Of the huge number of volcanoes, in this article we will talk about the most interesting of them.

Volcano Bromo (height 2329 m.)

It is located in the east of the island of Java and is one of the most popular and visited in Indonesia. This is due to its majestic beauty and its location on the Tengger caldera (rim), which is surrounded by sand dunes.
The menacing volcano, the unusual alien landscape and the clouds of smoke that Bromo constantly produces make its visit unforgettable. The volcano itself is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Tourists from all over the world come to watch the sunrise with views of the mighty volcano and the valley in which it is located. We also offer this one.

Volcano Ijen

Or as the locals call it, Kawa Ijen, also a fairly famous volcano in Indonesia. It is located on the island of Java and comes after Bromo in the popularity ranking. Many tourists after visiting Bromo volcano. The reason for its popularity among tourists is the presence of a turquoise sulfur lake inside the crater, which emits blue flames at night and smoky white during the daytime. Also here you can meet many sulfur collectors who mine it on the shore of a sulfur lake in incredibly harmful conditions, inhaling sulfur vapors. The Ijen volcano is unique in that it is in its crater that the largest acid lake in the world is located.

Semeru Volcano (3676 m.)

Located in the east of the island of Java, it is its highest fire mountain. Local residents who have lived near the volcano for centuries call it Mahameru, which means “ big mountain” and comes from the Hindu gods Meru and Semeru.

The climb to the top of the mountain takes two days and will not present any particular problems for experienced tourists. Although it is still worth putting in a little effort on the last slope before the summit. It is also worth remembering that this is an active volcano, as clearly indicated by the emission of clouds of smoke.

Stratovolcano Merbabu (3145 m.)

This giant is located in the central part of Java. Its name can be translated as “mountain of ashes.” This is the only dormant volcano in this ranking. Although it last erupted in 1797, nevertheless, it should not be forgotten. In 2004, this volcano and surrounding areas were declared a National Nature Reserve.

Volcano Anak Krakatoa (813 m.)

This volcano does not require any special introduction, as it is one of the most famous in the whole world. When mentioning it, they usually add the word “most”. The most destructive, the loudest, etc. Before the catastrophic eruption (about which many films were shot and more than one book was written), it was a volcanic island and a volcano at the same time. Located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. In May 1883, the most powerful eruption recorded by mankind began. Let us cite only the following facts:

A column of ash and gas rose to a height of 70 km

The pyroclastic flow reached a height of 900 meters

Rocks were scattered over a distance of 500 km

The volume of ejected material was 18 cubic km

The tsunami generated as a result of the eruption reached a height of more than 30 m

The power of the explosion was equivalent to 10,000 (!!!) explosions in Hiroshima

In Jakarta, located 150 km from the volcano, doors were torn off their hinges and roofs were blown away (it is quite possible that the residents were also terrified)

The shock wave circled the planet 7 times

According to unconfirmed reports, 120,000 people died

In the place of Krakatau, his “son” Anak Krakatau is now growing and constantly active (literally - 6.8 m per year). In February of this year, there was an increase in its activity and as a result, the Indonesian authorities prohibited coming within 1.5 km of it. No wonder it is considered one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia.

Mount Kerinci (3800 m.)

It is the highest active volcano in Indonesia and the highest point on the island of Sumatra. It is located in Kerinci National Park in the west-central part of the island, which is the last refuge of the endangered species - the Sumatran tiger and the Sumatran rhinoceros. This volcano is notable for the fact that its crater contains the highest volcanic lake in Southeast Asia.

Volcano Batur (1700 m.)

This volcano is deservedly one of. This active volcano, located in the caldera of what was once a protovolcano with a diameter of 13 km. It last erupted in November 2018. Nowadays a large number of tourists who come to relax in Bali climb the volcano in order to meet the amazingly beautiful sunrise at its top. In addition to tourists, local residents also pay special attention to the volcano, since according to local beliefs, the tops of the mountains are the abode of the gods. That is why, before climbing to the top of the volcano, Balinese guides pray to the gods and make offerings.

Volcano Agung (3142 m.)

The most high point on the island of Bali. It has a sacred meaning among the Balinese. It is on the slopes of this mountain that the “Mother of all temples” is located - the Besakih Temple. According to Hindu legend, the mountain was created by the god Pasupati during the division of the spiritual axis of the universe - Mount Meru. mountains will take 6-7 hours. Some of our tourists, after overcoming this path, shared their impressions and said that the path to the top is also a spiritual test.

Rijani Volcano (3726 m.)

Located on the island of Lombok and is the second highest volcano in Indonesia. He is also one of the most active. There is a volcanic lake in the crater of the volcano. Every year, pilgrims from among the local residents come here and make offerings in order to appease the gods. Since Lombok is a developing island tourist destination in Indonesia, the number of tourists who climb to the top is growing from year to year. The journey to the top takes about 2 days. And this path is worth it to see the beauty from the top of the mountain.

Kelimutu Volcano (1639 m.)

It is located on the island of Flores and is popular among tourists due to its unique three volcanic lakes different colors - green, blue and red. The reason for the different colors of water is the different chemical composition and the presence of substances that give shades. It is worth noting that the shades of the lakes change depending on the season and time of day (the angle of incidence of the sun's rays changes). The territory of the mountain and the surrounding area belongs to National Park Kelimutu.

Mount Puncak Jaya or Korstens Pyramid (4884 m.)

Rising in the western part of Papua is the only peak with a glacier in Indonesia. The name can be translated from Indonesian as “peak of victory.” The mountain received its second name thanks to the Dutch explorer Jan Corstens. He was the first European to notice the peak's glaciers on the horizon in 1623. At that time, no one believed him that this was possible in the tropics at the equator. This mountain is included in the list of the Seven Summits of the World.

The peak was first conquered in 1962 by Austrian climbers.

It is worth noting that the volcano in Indonesia has a special mystical meaning local population. Even despite the different religions and traditions of the islands. They cause terrible destruction, loss of life, change day to night, but at the same time they are an act of creation. A huge number of islands owe their appearance to this formidable force of nature. Including Bali.