Impact of Volcanic Hazards in Less Developed Countries
2) Mt Merapi, a volcano in central Java, Indonesia is the most active volcano in the country. Its eruptions have caused high death tolls, fatalities as well as destruction. Despite this, thousands of people live on the flanks of Mt Merapi.
Discuss about the dangers Mt Merapi’s eruptions impose and explain why people still live near volcanoes despite these dangers, with context to Mt Merapi.
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Essay outline
Intro:
Mt Merapi is a stratovolcano, composed of viscous andesitic lava. She is one of the volcanoes located within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Eruptions are typically effusive. Hazards faced at Mt Merapi are mainly, pyroclastic flows, lahars as well as landslides.
Hazard 1: Pyroclastic flows (refer to volcanic hazards Part 1: LDCs)
Hazard 2: Lahars (refer to volcanic hazards Part 2: LDCs)
Hazard 3: Landslides (refer to volcanic hazards Part 2: LDCs)
Link to next segment of question:
As seen from above, Mt Merapi poses a high level of danger to the people living on and near her flanks. However, many are unwilling to leave for safer grounds. Volcanoes have a wide range of effects on humans, negatively and positively. People live near Mt Merapi to reap the benefits that she provides.
Benefit 1: Tourism
People flock from all over the world to visit volcanoes. Mt Merapi is no exception. Being an LDC, Indonesia reaps a good amount of profit from Merapi-seeking tourists. A number of jobs are created for this industry. This includes work in hotels, food and beverage and gift shops. Locals are also often hired as tour guides.
Benefit 2: Agriculture
Being a LDC, agriculture is an important source of income for many Indonesians. The rich soil that Mt Merapi provides allows for healthy crops to be grown on its land. The ash formed from eruptions mixes with the soil on the land, making it very rich in minerals. Healthy crops cultivated and rich harvests are the main reason why many people are induced into living on the flanks of Mt Merapi. Besides, the people have become adept in the skills of harvest at volcanic flanks it will be difficult for them to move and change their type of occupation.
Benefit 3: Products
- Pumice: widely used for grinding and polishing metals, stones, and other materials.
- Metals: gold, silver, mercury, copper, zinc, lead
- Gemstones: opal
- Building materials: cinder tracks for athletics, naturally broken aggregates
Conclusion:
All in all, it can be seen that there is a substantial number of reasons why people wish to live near Mt Merapi despite it being an active volcano. Practicality thus attracts people to live near Mt Merapi. Other than the reasons stated above, other personal reasons like the people living there all their lives and religious beliefs as well as for the fact that there are many active volcanoes on the island of Java and should they move, would still be near an active volcano. Therefore even with the dangers posed; people are still willing to risk their lives for the reasons discussed above.
2) Mt Merapi, a volcano in central Java, Indonesia is the most active volcano in the country. Its eruptions have caused high death tolls, fatalities as well as destruction. Despite this, thousands of people live on the flanks of Mt Merapi.
Discuss about the dangers Mt Merapi’s eruptions impose and explain why people still live near volcanoes despite these dangers, with context to Mt Merapi.
_______________________________________________________
Essay outline
Intro:
Mt Merapi is a stratovolcano, composed of viscous andesitic lava. She is one of the volcanoes located within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Eruptions are typically effusive. Hazards faced at Mt Merapi are mainly, pyroclastic flows, lahars as well as landslides.
Hazard 1: Pyroclastic flows (refer to volcanic hazards Part 1: LDCs)
Hazard 2: Lahars (refer to volcanic hazards Part 2: LDCs)
Hazard 3: Landslides (refer to volcanic hazards Part 2: LDCs)
Link to next segment of question:
As seen from above, Mt Merapi poses a high level of danger to the people living on and near her flanks. However, many are unwilling to leave for safer grounds. Volcanoes have a wide range of effects on humans, negatively and positively. People live near Mt Merapi to reap the benefits that she provides.
Benefit 1: Tourism
People flock from all over the world to visit volcanoes. Mt Merapi is no exception. Being an LDC, Indonesia reaps a good amount of profit from Merapi-seeking tourists. A number of jobs are created for this industry. This includes work in hotels, food and beverage and gift shops. Locals are also often hired as tour guides.
Benefit 2: Agriculture
Being a LDC, agriculture is an important source of income for many Indonesians. The rich soil that Mt Merapi provides allows for healthy crops to be grown on its land. The ash formed from eruptions mixes with the soil on the land, making it very rich in minerals. Healthy crops cultivated and rich harvests are the main reason why many people are induced into living on the flanks of Mt Merapi. Besides, the people have become adept in the skills of harvest at volcanic flanks it will be difficult for them to move and change their type of occupation.
Benefit 3: Products
- Pumice: widely used for grinding and polishing metals, stones, and other materials.
- Metals: gold, silver, mercury, copper, zinc, lead
- Gemstones: opal
- Building materials: cinder tracks for athletics, naturally broken aggregates
Conclusion:
All in all, it can be seen that there is a substantial number of reasons why people wish to live near Mt Merapi despite it being an active volcano. Practicality thus attracts people to live near Mt Merapi. Other than the reasons stated above, other personal reasons like the people living there all their lives and religious beliefs as well as for the fact that there are many active volcanoes on the island of Java and should they move, would still be near an active volcano. Therefore even with the dangers posed; people are still willing to risk their lives for the reasons discussed above.
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