News Highlight
- Indonesia increases the level of its warning following Mount Semeru’s volcanic eruption.
Key Takeaway
- Mount Semeru in Indonesia has erupted, spewing ash into the sky and forcing evacuations on the country’s main island, Java.
Mount Semeru: Volcanic Eruption
- About the eruption
- Java’s Semeru island erupted on December 4.
- The mountain is only 500 miles southeast of Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital city.
- The Indonesian authorities have issued a high alert and the highest warning level.
- No casualties have been reported because people were evacuated.
- Residents in the area have been advised not to travel within 8 miles of the eruption land.
Mount Semeru
- About
- Mount Semeru, is an active volcano in East Java, Indonesia.
- The Indo-Australian plate subducts beneath the Eurasia plate in this area, which is located in a subduction zone.
- It is the highest mountain on the island of Java.
- Eruptive History
- The eruptive history of Semeru is extensive.
- Since 1818, at least 55 eruptions with lava and pyroclastic flows have been recorded.
- Semeru erupted for the second time in the year 2021 on December 4.
- At least 57 people died, and 104 more were injured.
Volcanic Eruption
- What is volcanic eruption?
- A volcano is a vent in the Earth’s crust that causes eruptions.
- There are approximately 1500 potentially active volcanoes on the planet.
- When volcanoes erupt, they can spew hot, dangerous gases, ash, lava, and rock, resulting in catastrophic loss of life and property, particularly in densely populated areas.
- There are different types of volcanic eruptive events, including:
- Pyroclastic explosions, with fast-moving hot gas and volcanic matter
- Hot ash releases
- Lava flows
- Gas emissions
- Glowing avalanches, when gas and ashes release.
- If accompanying rain, snow, or melting ice, volcanic eruptions can cause secondary events such as floods, landslides, and mudslides.
- Hot ashes can also start wildfires.
- Impacts
- It can pose multiple health threats depending on the volcano’s proximity to the community and whether there was any warning.
- Volcanic eruptions can cause:
- Suffocation
- Infectious diseases, such as conjunctivitis
- Acute and chronic respiratory diseases from falling ash and breathing gases and fumes
- Burns and traumatic injuries, such as lacerations from falling rock
- Eye and skin irritations from acid rain.
- The eruption’s ash and chemicals may also endanger food and water supplies.
- It compromises essential services, like water, transportation, communications and health services.
- WHO Response
- WHO collaborates with Member States to build resilient and proactive health systems capable of anticipating and addressing emergency needs and challenges.
- As the health cluster leads for global emergencies, WHO collaborates with partners to address the following:
- Ensure appropriate food supplementation.
- Restore primary care services, like immunisation, child and maternal health, and mental health.
- Assemble mobile health teams and outreach.
- Conduct epidemic surveillance, early warning and response.
- Call for emergency funding to support health action.
Indonesian Archipelago
- What is an archipelago?
- An archipelago is an area that contains a chain or group of islands scattered in lakes, rivers, or the ocean.
- Most archipelagos form when volcanoes erupt from the ocean floor, known as oceanic islands.
- Archipelagos can also form due to erosion, sedimentary deposits, rising sea level, and other geographic processes.
- Some are large, spanning thousands of miles, while others are much smaller, covering less than 100 miles.
- Some archipelagos include:
- Balearic Islands (Spain)
- Canadian Arctic Archipelago (Canada)
- Caribbean Islands (Multiple Nations)
- Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
Pic Courtesy: freepik
Content Source: The Hindu