Mount Marapi

  • Mount Marapi Erupted: Recent eruption sent ash column 1.5km (4,900ft) above the peak. Why: Indicates volcanic activity and potential hazards.

  • Location: West Sumatra, Indonesia, in the Padang Highlands. Why: Establishes geographical context and area affected.

  • Type of Volcano: Stratovolcano (composed of layers of hardened lava, ash, and rocks). Why: Explains the volcano’s structure and eruption style.

  • Part of the Ring of Fire: A seismically active belt around the Pacific Ocean. Why: Highlights the region’s overall volcanic and earthquake susceptibility.

  • Summit Features: Bancah caldera with a 1.4 km diameter and overlapping craters. Why: Describes the volcano’s distinctive summit.

  • Deadliest Event: 1979 lahar caused 60 deaths. Why: Demonstrates the volcano’s potential for serious disasters.

  • Confusion with Mount Merapi: Often mistaken for another volcano in Java. Why: Clarifies potential misunderstandings.