Volcano Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Volcano - Essay Example Hot clouds and glowing lava advanced 1 km. down the Genol River. Inhabitants in Muntilan saw the ash fall over surrounding areas. Merapi is considered as the most active of the 130 active volcanoes of Indonesia. Twelve major eruptions have killed thousands. People of Indonesia look at Merapi with awe, wonder and reverence and every year a priest makes the ascent to the top of the mountain to make the prescribed offering. For the last two weeks Merapi volcano has been spewing thick black smoke and the scientists say that a full scale eruption is soon on the cards. The full name of this mountain is Gunung Merapi, meaning Fiery Mountain. It is situated overlooking the ancient royal city of Yogyakarta. Eruptions are a regular feature with Merapi, one of the most active volcanos in the world. Small eruptions take place every 2-3 years, bigger ones at the interval of 10-15 years and the real big ones with tremendous destructive capacity, once in 50-60 years. The eruption of 1006 was so devastating that an entire Hindu Kingdom was destroyed. In 1930, about 1300 people were killed. The 1994 eruption was comparatively less destructive and it claimed 64 lives. Local people consider this volcano as very sacred. They also firmly believe that a supernatural Kingdom exists on the top of Merapi. Merapi is located in the zone called a â€Å"Ring of Fire,† in the Pacific Ocean. When at peace, Merapi is just like a friend to the people and to the tourists who are fond of hiking and climbing. But nothing could be predicted about this wonder of nature. Suddenly you can see the volcanic ash spew and then glowing lava ooze down on all its sides. As it intensifies, the sight of large plume of smoke billowing from it is not only amazing but terrifying! Notwithstanding its fearsome activities, people around the mountain love and respect Merapi and many cultivate crops quite close to the cone section. On November 22, 1994, Merapi shook and was in for a major bout of