The number of volcanoes in Indonesia makes this country one of the countries that has an alert status of a volcanic eruption. However, for some people, the many volcanoes that exist in Indonesia, both tourists from their own country or foreign tourists, have become one of the exciting tourist destinations.
Of course, a tour near a volcano will be full of experience if the status of the volcano is not active. But if the volcano is active, don't ever try to approach the area around there because the area of an active volcano will harm us.
Volcanic Eruptions Ever Happened in Indonesia
Due to the large number of volcanoes in Indonesia, it is undeniable that many volcanic eruptions have occurred in this country. According to geographical records, there are around 83 volcanoes in Indonesia from Sabang to Merauke. Some of the lists of volcanoes in Indonesia that have erupted are as follows.
1. Mount Sinabung
Mount Sinabung is a volcano located in Saro Regency, North Sumatra Province. Mount Sinabung erupted twice in 2010. In August 2010, Mount Sinabung did not erupt but emitted volcanic ash and changed its status to alert when releasing lava. Tens of thousands of residents were evacuated.
In September 2010, Mount Sinabung erupted twice, namely on September 3 and 7, 2010. On September 3, 2010, the first eruption occurred at 05:45, while the second eruption occurred at 18:00.
2. Mount Kelud
Mount Kelud is located between the regencies of Kediri, Blitar and Malang in the province of East Java. Mount Kelud erupted in 1919 and claimed 5,160 lives. Mount Kelud's lava flow due to the eruption of this volcano reaches 38 km. In 1990, Mount Kelud erupted for 45 days and spewed 57.3 cubic meters of volcanic activity.
3. Mount Rinjani
Mount Rinjani is a volcano located on the island of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province. Mount Rinjani erupted in 2004 and 2009. In 2004, this volcanic eruption did not take any lives, but in 2009 this volcanic eruption claimed the lives of 31 people. The 2009 eruption caused flash floods in the Tanggek River due to the pressure of lava into Segara Anak.
4. Mount Merapi
Mount Merapi is the most active mountain in Indonesia. This mountain is located in the central part of Java Island. Since 1548, this volcano has erupted 68 times. Small eruptions always occur at Mount Merapi every 2 to 3 years. Its most recent eruption in 2010, was recorded as the strongest eruption in the geological record.
5. Mount Krakatau
Mount Krakatau is a mountain located between the islands of Java and Sumatra. Mount Krakatoa erupted violently in 1883. The eruption at that time was considered the most powerful because its voice was heard as far as Australia and islands near Africa.
The eruption of Krakatoa caused global climate change, because as a result of this eruption, the world was dark for more than two days because very thick volcanic ash covered the atmosphere. This eruption caused the sun to shine dimly until the following year.
6. Mount Galunggung
Mount Galunggung is located in Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java Province. This mountain has a height of 2,167 meters. Mount Galunggung has been recorded to have erupted several times, namely in 1822, 1894, 1918, 1982, and 1983. In 1822 and 1894, eruptions from Mount Galunggung were recorded as always producing hot clouds.
In 1918, the eruption of Mount Galunggung was accompanied by an earthquake. In 1982, the eruption was accompanied by booms, flares, and flashes of lightning. Galunggung eruption in 1982 lasted for 9 months until 1983.
If there is a volcano, there must be one that erupts. What causes volcanoes to erupt? The following will explain the causes of volcanic eruptions.
Causes of Volcanic Eruption
A volcano can erupt due to an active seismic zone. The existence of active seismicity is associated with plate boundaries. The existence of changes in pressure and high temperature at the boundary of this volcanic plate can melt the surrounding material which is liquid magma or incandescent liquid. This magma liquid is a liquid that is below the earth's surface.
The liquid magma in this volcano can interrupt the soil and surrounding rocks through the cracks on the earth's surface. This volcano is formed from magma. Magma can be formed due to overheating of the temperature in the Earth's interior. At a certain depth, the highest temperature magma can melt rock material in the earth. When the rock melts due to very high temperatures, gases are formed which mix with the magma.
Usually, magma is formed 60 to 160 km below the earth's surface. In some other parts, magma is formed at a depth of 24 to 48 km. Gaseous magma slowly rises to the surface because its mass is lighter than the surrounding rock. When magma begins to rise, the surrounding rock melts and forms a cabin 3km deep from the surface. This magma cabin formed is a storehouse of volcanic material eruptions.
Gaseous magma is magma that is in the lowest cabin pressure on the earth's surface. This pressure causes magma to erupt or can also melt conduit or channels in the cracked rock.
Magma melts through the surface of the rock channel. When magma approaches the surface, its gaseous content will be released. This erupted gas and magma forms a main hole called the central vent. All volcanic material as well as magma comes out of this central vent. Magma and volcanic material that comes out of this central vent can radiate to a height of several meters.
If there has been a volcanic eruption like this, the bursts of magma that come out can directly hit the plants or anything around them to die suddenly. When the magma bursts stop, a crater will form on top of the volcano while the main hole is located at the bottom of the crater.
Finally, after a volcano is formed due to the magma escaping, not all of the magma appears in the next eruption in the main vent. Usually, when the next eruption magma comes out of the earth's surface that has cracked or in smaller channels. It could be that the magma that comes out is on the side of the mountain or it can also come out at the bottom of the surface.
Many volcanic eruptions in Indonesia and even in the world are purely natural phenomena that cannot be avoided. Therefore, we should always be aware of natural phenomena that can occur at any time.