The Volcanoes of Indonesia
Written by AndyIndonesia is home to the largest number of active volcanoes on the planet, with a whopping 150 spread across the 17,000 islands that make up its landmass.
With such famous massive volcanic eruption taking place in this region such as ‘krakatoa’ and ‘Toba’- both causing devastation and destruction on a global level – it’s not hard to see why people with a fascination with these prolific forces of nature flock to Indonesia to try and catch a glimpse of these fiery monsters erupting.
Recent Eruptions
The island of Sumatra located in Indonesia’s west, hosts a particularly volatile range of volcanoes that are not shy when it comes to erupting.
The latest to show its fiery stealth is the once sleepy giant that was Mount Sinabung located in the north of Sumatra. Since September of this year it has been showing signs of ‘waking up’ in the form of ‘thunderous rumbles ‘and shooting hot ash and rocks into the air. However, although officials have been keeping a close eye on the sleeping beast Indonesian authorities raised the alarm level from ‘stand-by’ to ‘caution’ last weekend to ensure any neighboring villages were not caught in an spontaneous mass scale eruption.
Mount Sinabung last erupted in 2010 causing 10,000 people to be displaced from their homes and two villagers losing their lives. Before the 2010 eruption, this particular volcano had not shown any activity for around 400 years hence why the Indonesian authorities are taking full precautions in the wake of the most recent rumblings from Sinabung.
15,000 villagers have been temporarily evacuated at present and have been re-homed in emergency centre in the south of the island. Officials have warned any one from going anywhere near the site of the volcano especially within 3 miles of the crater.
Effects on Tourism
With such recent eruptions, tourist can understandably be put off from going to Indonesia especially the beautiful island of Samatra. However, if you’re thinking of taking a trip to this part of the world don’t let the odd volcanic eruption put you off!
The Indonesian authorities are more than well versed in spotting the signs of a major eruption so if you’re travelling here you can be rest assured that you are in safe hands. Precautions are always taken such as temporary evacuation of high risk areas, so as a tourist your safety is always at the fore front. Always check Indonesian travel websites to ensure no major catastrophes are currently happening, and always use trusted guided tours when trekking through volcanic regions.
Witness the Miracle
Being a witness to a volcanic eruption is one of nature’s most spectacular spectacles. Although dangerous with obvious risks involved, if done properly with experienced professional guides you will be able to watch the earth’s raw majestic fiery beauty from a safe comfortable distance without fears of anything going wrong. Just remember to take the right precautions, check local information before setting out and never attempt an excursion by yourself.
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Tags: indonesia, Travel, volcano
