Mount Merapi, Indonesia

Travel Blog  •  Ben Keene  •  05.05.06 | 1:36 PM ET

Coordinates: 7 32 S 110 36 E
Elevation: 9,550 feet (2,911 m)
imageTo call volcano tourism a hot trend would not only be a bad pun, but also somewhat of an exaggeration; yes it exists, but it isn’t for everybody. For those climbers and thrill seekers with summer plans to visit the slopes of Mount Merapi, the youngest and most active volcanic peak in Indonesia: Start looking elsewhere. Ash and gas have been issuing from the cone for several weeks and authorities monitoring Merapi’s activity have encouraged the local population to evacuate the area, warning that a major eruption is increasingly likely. Located on the island of Java where the Australian tectonic plate meets the larger Eurasian plate, this menacing mountain last erupted in 1994.

—.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) is the editor of the Oxford Atlas of the World.

Tags: Asia, Indonesia

Ben Keene has appeared on National Public Radio, Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio as well as other nationally syndicated programs to discuss geographic literacy and his work updating a bestselling world atlas. Formerly a touring musician, he has written for Transitions Abroad and inTravel.


7 Comments for Mount Merapi, Indonesia

kristy 05.06.06 | 9:29 AM ET

i am living in yogyakarta, indonesia, 30km from mount merapi. i want to inquire if there is danger from an eruption to the people in yogya.

charly 05.15.06 | 2:09 AM ET

I’m planning on visiting Yogyakarta in a couple of days. Of course i would like to see some volcanic activity but what do the scientists say about the safty of the area.

Tom Borden 05.15.06 | 7:02 PM ET

Eruption reported today, Monday, May 15, 2006. Get the hell out!

chinka 05.16.06 | 4:37 AM ET

how amny eggs will this volcano destroy??

Chris 06.07.06 | 6:37 PM ET

Dear

As usual between public opinion and reality is a big gap. Yes it is dangerous but we talk about an area (circle) of about 100 - 200 km around the mountain. Indonesia stretches close to 6000 km from Sumatra to Irian Jaya. Even we here in Bali are affected because of some guests cancelled their trips to Bali.

All our thoughts are with the people in Yogya which had to suffer.

Regards

GUAY Michel 06.08.06 | 6:17 AM ET

why Google Earth doesn’t show the erruption in réel time ??

pairce 12.12.06 | 4:30 PM ET

i want to know the last eruptuon in indonesia

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