Merapi Mountain Volcano

Of the 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, Merapi is the most active, and has had at least twelve eruptions that killed people. The name Merapi means "Mountain of Fire". The volcano is considered sacred and every year a priest climbs to the top to make an offering








High 2968 meters, it is located 25 km north of Yogyakarta.
The mountain erupts about once every 5.5 years and has killed as many as 1,600 people in 26 eruptions since 1930.








The major eruption was on 22 November 1994, at 10.15 hrs local time. A flow containing 220°C burst of gas, steam, and ashes killed more than 80 people. More than 1.3 million cubic yard of lava pour six kilometres down the mountainside along the river Boyong in Turgo village.









On March 19, 2006 some explosions are recorded which could announce a regain in the Merapi volcanic activity. The mountain was put on alert, but for the time being the eruptions are considered as small. The picture here above is the Merapi view on Sunday 20th, from the village of Cangkringan.








As you may have heard, Merapi is fixing to erupt sometime soon. People who live on the mountain - and there are thousands of them, mostly scattered in farming villages - have a whole set of traditional beliefs centered around the existence of a spiritual kingdom atop the volcano. When the volcano erupts, it's because the spirits are having a big party or ceremony. Villagers believe if they take good care of the mountain and are respectful toward its god, they'll be okay.