One of Indonesian news conglomeration, Kompas, organizes a grand expedition called The Ring of Fire. This expedition explores volcanoes and continental plates in Indonesia which entwined as The Pacific ring of fire.
It starts from Toba caldera, then climbing up to volcanic rings of Sinabung and Sibayak, the infamous Krakatau, Agung and Rinjani. Team will then go further in Java Island to Semeru, Bromo, Merapi, Merbabu, Galunggung, Kerinci, Lawu until they reach eastern of Indonesia, Sangihe Island in Ambon. Sangihe is a remote island with magical view of deep sea and active volcanoes. The ring doesn’t stop there; team will explore the drown plate of Sumatra and end the expedition in Mentawai.
This will take team a whole year to finish their discovery of active volcanoes in Indonesia as the part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. It will be covered by newspapers, online papers, national channels, and of course by us; www.watchindonesianow.com. Here is the grand scenario:
Tambora Mountain, June 18 – July 2nd 2011
This mountain is located in Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara. It is the eastern part of Indonesia. It erupted in April 1815 and well known as “The Largest Volcanic Eruption in History”. Over 71,000 lives gone and it caused climate change; Indonesia calls it The Year without The Sun.
Toba, Sibayak, Sinabung and Tarutung Mountain (Quake plates), September 2011
This time team will go to volcanoes and tectonic faults in Sumatra Island. Super Volcano-Toba is estimated to erupt 74,000 years ago, creating Toba caldera and lake with Samosir Island in the middle of it. The eruption caused Tsunami.
The Krakatau, October 2011
This volcano is located at Sunda strait. Its great eruption happened in August 1883. More than 36,000 people died by Tsunami caused by the eruption.
Batur, Agung and Rinjani, November 2011
The journey is in search of spirituality and rationale. The team will start its discovery on local folklore about volcanoes. Between myths and religious beliefs, volcanoes for Bali and Lombok people are the center of cultures and religions. Team will investigate the influence of these beliefs toward modern disaster mitigation.
East of Java Adventure: Semeru, Penanggung, Bromo, Ijen and Kelud
Local life there can be concluded as blending with disasters. Ijen crater was once the source of sulfur and amunitive substances. It was beneficial for its surroundings. Now, it keeps a great danger. Tips of this crater with abundant sulfic acid may turn to avalanche. Leakage has already occurred causing land poisoning.
Central Java: Merapi, Merbabu, Lawu, Sindoro, Sumbing, Dieng
Re-civilization by eruption. Merapi eruption is suspected to be the main cause of shifting ancient Mataram to the eastern part of Java. Merapi is also a real test to modern disaster management against local culture and beliefs which often counteract.
West Java: Tangkuban Perahu, Salak, Papandayan, Galunggung
A very fertile area of Parahyangan with a terror of volcanic quake.
Kerinci, Dempo, Marapi and Sorik Mountain
The Mountains of Gods and the myth of small human. Kerinci is also the highest volcano in Indonesia which not only beautiful but also deadly. It has a long known myth about small human who live there.
Rokatenda, Egon, Lewo Tobi Mountain, Tsunami in Ende and Larantuka
Eastern Nusa Tenggara is an extreme example of archipelago formed by a series of volcanic mountains. This affect the humidity and dryness level there. Other than that, Tsunami often washouts this area.
Team will then continue to Sangihe, Ambon, Ibu and Soputan Mountains, Liwa-Padang, Aceh and Palu. Sumatra and Palu are considered an island with the most active volcanoes in the world. However, disaster management there is not yet sophisticated.
End of the journey: Mentawai, Nias and Simeulue Islands
Islands of the continental verge. These 3 islands are located at the verge of continental line which makes areas with most earthquakes and highly potential for Tsunami in all history. Local people has developed beliefs and traditional wisdom in facing all of the disasters but now it has long gone.
Source: http://ekspedisi.kompas.com
Tags: Volcano, Indonesia, Travel, Mountains
Ijen Crater: The Largest Acid Lake on Earth