5/16/2006: Merapi is angry

An active volcano gets you some of the most excellent images. Mount Merapi, Java, Indonesia, is threatening to massively erupt.



Today the mountain is blowing off the biggest plume of hot gas it's ever released, say the volcanologists. It's a coincidence because my girlfriend claimed I did that last weekend.



The smart villagers have bolted. But some others are fighting the battle the only way they know how: by giving offerings to the mountain. Here they've created a version of it in rice. Apparently the "food sculpture of mountain" theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind is universal.



Wearing funny costumes and dancing may also help.



Apparently the dancers have to paint on a layer of sunburn and grizzled concern. Being next to an active volcano doesn't do that for them?



The villagers are tempted to stay because their crops have so much value to them. But their crops may not make it anyway. Ironically, it's the volcanic soil that creates a fertile medium for crops like coffee. The ash of hundreds of years ago is helpful... but the ash of 15 minutes ago is not.

So why would you live there in the first place?



Because normally it looks like this.

Before this threat, Merapi has had smaller eruptions but nothing massively major since 1930.

They better hurry up and find themselves a certified virgin.

Sorry, can't help.


Actually, I'm not sorry I'm unable to provide this help, although I am filled with concern for those in the shadow of this impending disaster.

This is near Krakatoa? When that erupted 120 odd years ago, they heard it 3000 miles away in Madagascar. Lots of activity in those islands. I'd get off the beaches if I were vacationing there.

Mount St. Helens has been growing a nice cork lately. It probably won't match the major eruption when this one pops but it will make for some ash clouds.

Google maps link


1700 feet over, via Google Earth

I was wrong about the original dates for the last major eruption and I've corrected the entry.

GoogleEarth is soooo cool. Thanks for the beautiful images, UT.

She would prolly give it up pretty quick when you started to throw her in.......

Good idea Capn, just hang around the mountain and when they bring the virgin offer her your help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce Good idea Capn, just hang around the mountain and when they bring the virgin offer her your help.

This guy looks like Gallagher.

Since Kagen4o4 is pulling PBF references...

lol@sloth

That mountain is steep. Real steep.

The pyroclastic flow will come down fast.

I wonder what the ratio of New Orleans residents who didn't leave when they had the chance will be as opposed to this group. I'll bet it's larger.

One has a quaint faith in government another has a quaint faith in buying off volcanoe gods... both die.