TAG: GS-1: GEOGRAPHY
THE CONTEXT: The Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcanic eruption in southeastern Flores, Indonesia, has resulted in nine deaths, property damage, and mass evacuations.
EXPLANATION:
About Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki:
- Lewotobi is a twin volcano in the southeastern part of Flores Island, Indonesia.
- Its summit craters are less than 2 km apart. It comprises the Lewotobi Lakilaki (male Lewotobi) and Lewotobi Perempuan (female Lewotobi) stratovolcanoes.
- A summit is a point on a surface that is higher in elevation than all points immediately adjacent to it.
Geological significance Indonesia’s Volcanic Activity:
- Indonesia is a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
- The country is home to numerous active volcanoes, and eruptions are not uncommon. The crater of Mount Anak Krakatoa, located between Java and Sumatra islands, partially collapsed during a major eruption, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 400 people and injured thousands.
What is a stratovolcano?
- A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a conical volcano built up by many layers (strata) of hardened lava and tephra.
- Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile with a summit crater and periodic intervals of explosive eruptions and effusive eruptions, although some have collapsed summit craters called calderas.
- The lava flowing from stratovolcanoes typically cools and hardens before spreading far, due to high viscosity. The magma forming this lava is often felsic, having high to intermediate levels of silica (as in rhyolite, dacite, or andesite), with lesser amounts of less viscous mafic magma.
- They are among the most common types of volcanoes, in contrast to the less common shield volcanoes.
- Examples: Krakatoa in Indonesia, Vesuvius in Italy, Mount St. Helens in Washington State, US, and Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines.
Impact on Local Communities:
- The eruptions caused significant disruptions to the local communities.
- Houses were left empty, and electricity was cut off in parts of the affected islands.
- Communications were also knocked out in some areas of both Ruang and Tagulandang islands. Residents pleaded for assistance, particularly tarpaulins to cover damaged roofs.
- The nearby international airport in Manado city, more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the crater.
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