MOUNT MERAPI

Mount Merapi, Gunung Merapi is an active stratovolcano located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It is located approximately 28 kilometres (17 mi) north of Yogyakarta city, and thousands of people live on the flanks of the volcano, with villages as high as 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level. The name Merapi could be loosely translated as 'Mountain of Fire'. The etymology of the name came from Meru-Api; from the Javanese combined words; Meru means "mountain" refer to mythical mountain of Gods in Hinduism, and api means "fire". 

Merapi  Pyroclastic flows

Merapi is the youngest in a group of volcanoes in southern Java. It is situated at a subduction zone, where the Indo-Australian Plate is sliding beneath the Eurasian Plate. It is one of at least 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, part of the volcano is located in the Southeastern part of the Pacific Ring of Fire–a section of fault lines stretching from the Western Hemisphere through Japan and South East Asia. Stratigraphic analysis reveals that eruptions in the Merapi area began about 400,000 years ago, and from then until about 10,000 years ago, eruptions were typically effusive, and the out flowing lava emitted was basaltic. Since then, eruptions have become more explosive, with viscous andesitic lavas often generating lava domes. Dome collapse has often generated pyroclastic flows, and larger explosions, which have resulted in eruption columns, have also generated pyroclastic flows through column collapse. Typically, small eruptions occur every two to three years, and larger ones every 10–15 years or so. Notable eruptions, often causing many deaths, have occurred in 1006, 1786, 1822, 1872, and 1930—when thirteen villages were destroyed and 1400 people killed by pyroclastic flows. A very large eruption in 1006 is claimed to have covered all of central Java with ash. The volcanic devastation is claimed to have led to the collapse of the Hindu Kingdom of Mataram; however, there is insufficient evidence from that era for this to be substantiated.

To keep the volcano quiet and to appease the spirits of the mountain, the Javanese regularly bring offerings on the anniversary of the sultan of  Yogyakarta's coronation.

  

For Yogyakarta Sultanate, Merapi holds significant cosmological symbolism, because it is forming a sacred north-south axis line between Merapi peak and Southern Ocean (Indian Ocean). The sacred axis is signified by Merapi peak in the north, the Tugu monument near Yogyakarta main train station, the axis runs along Malioboro street to Northern Alun-alun (square) across Keraton Yogyakarta (sultan palace), Southern Alun-alun, all the way to Bantul and finally reach Samas and Parangkusumo beach on the estuary of Opak river and Southern Ocean.

sacred axis

This sacred axis connected the hyangs or spirits of mountain revered since ancient times—often identified as "Mbah Petruk" by Javanese people—The Sultan of Yogyakarta as the leader of the Javanese kingdom, and Nyi Roro Kidul as the queen of the Southern Ocean, the female ocean

deity revered by Javanese people and also mythical consort of Javanese kings.

Petruk-shaped cloud during the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi

In 2004 an area of 6,410 hectares around Mount Merapi was established as a national park. Management objective is the protection of water sources, streams and buffers living systems district-town of Sleman, Yogyakarta, Klaten, Boyolali, and Magelang. In the meantime, before the formation hall park managers, TN G Merapi is under the management of Balai KSDA (Natural Resources Conservation) Yogyakarta.

Merapi is a natural ecosystem of tropical forests are affected mountainous volcanic activity. Some of them are endemic species saninten (Castanopsis argentea), Vanda tricolor, and the Javan hawk-eagle (Spizaetus bartelsi). This national park is also a place to live leopard (Panthera pardus).

leopard

Mount Merapi at the top is never overgrown with vegetation due to high activity. Plant species at the top of the typical mountain-type alpina Java, such as Rhododendron and edeweis Java. Somewhat to the bottom of the bamboo forests and mountains of tropical plants. Slopes of Merapi, especially below 1,000 m, is home to two national superior cultivars of salak, which is barked 'Pondoh' and 'Nglumut'.

Salak tree