Managing Volcanic Activity In Indonesia

Question 1

Examples of modifying the event (not specific to Indonesia)

Can you modify the event if its an earthquake

Answer 1

Lava dispersion channels and Spraying lava so it cools and solidifies

No

Question 2

Examples of modifying vulnerability (not specific to Indonesia)

Answer 2

Education- teaching people to recognise the signs of an eruption

Community preparedness- building tsunami shelters and strengthening public buildings like hospitals

Question 3

Examples of Modifying the loss (not specific to Indonesia)

Answer 3

Emergency aid like bottled water and medical supplies

Search and rescue strategies

Question 4

(Modifying vulnerability) What is the CVGHM and what is its key division?

Answer 4

Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation

Volcano Observatory Section

Question 5

(Modifying vulnerability) What did the Volcano Observation Section do in the 20s? Why was the effectiveness limited?

Answer 5

• construct permanent observations on active volcanos
• indonesia’s first seisometer was made in 1924 but its technological capabilities were limited
• after it gained independence from the Dutch, there was a lot of violence from rival factions so managing volcanoes was neglected

Question 6

(Modifying vulnerability) The Volcano Observation Section in the 21st century

Answer 6

• gradually its technology and geographic coverage improved.
• over 60 volcanoes are monitored
• sophisticated equipment to measure gas emissions

Question 7

(Modifying vulnerability) why is the threat from lahars high?

Answer 7

Volcanoes release a lot of ash and high levels of rainfall in the rainy season (+1800mm per yr)

Question 8

(Modifying vulnerability) who does the CVGHM work closely with and what does it do for them?

Answer 8

Works closely with the local govs. and advises them on mitigation strategies like community preparedness

Question 9

(Modifying vulnerability) Where is permanent settlement banned?

Answer 9

The highest slopes of Mt. Merapi’s crater

Question 10

(Modifying vulnerability)What does the Volcano Observatory Section do to get people living on the S. slopes of Merapi to do?

Answer 10

• advises them to relocate

- gives incentives fo moving like giving them small plots of land elsewhere

Question 11

(Modifying the loss) what prevents people from relocating?

Answer 11

• People have a strong bond with their village sites

- people often return to dangerous areas to rebuild and accept the risks of being so close to the volcano

Question 12

(Modifying the loss) why is Indonesia’s ability to deploy resources post eruption limited?

Answer 12

It is an EDC

Question 13

(Modifying the loss) What does Indonesia do to modify the loss?

Answer 13

• it has well trained/equipped emergency services like the military
• tempirary shelters in safe zones for evacuees are often upgraded to permanent settlements

Question 14

(Modifying the loss) what do authorities do to rivers?

Answer 14

They clear it of volcanic material to reduce the risk of flooding and to contain lahars