A Level Geography Summer Transition Work - 2021 Semeru Eruption - Freddy Sansom

Freddy Sansom
Geography Summer Work:

2021 Semeru Eruption
Mount Semeru is a volcano located in the East Java province of

the Indonesian island of Java.
Map of volcanoes in Indonesia
The eruption of Mount Semeru

in December 2021 was triggered
by the collapse of the lava dome
at the summit, which was
caused by heavy precipitation. In
the context of plate tectonics,
Mount Semeru is situated in a region where the Australian Plate is
subducting beneath the Sunda Plate. This subduction zone is
associated with intense volcanic activity in Indonesia, with many
volcanoes in the region. As the Australian Plate sinks beneath the
Sunda Plate, it melts and generates magma, which rises to the
surface and leads to volcanic eruptions. In the case of Mount
Semeru, this subduction-related magma generation was
responsible for the eruption when combined with the
destabilization of the lava dome caused by heavy rainfall.
Freddy Sansom
The primary effects of the eruption included pyroclastic flows and

lahars. Pyroclastic flows are fast-moving, hot clouds of gas and
ash, and lahars are volcanic mudflows formed when volcanic
materials mix with water. These effects caused significant
damage, including the destruction of at least 5,205 homes and
several public buildings. Tragically, the eruption resulted in the
loss of at least 69 lives and injuries to 104 people, with more than
five individuals still missing.
Damage from Lahars, https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/what-we-do/disasters/disasters-

activations/mt-semeru-eruption-2021
Secondary effects included ashfall, which affected multiple sub-

districts and villages. Power interruptions and blackouts affected
over 30,000 people. Additionally, livestock was lost, and many
homes and vehicles were covered in heavy volcanic ash.
Freddy Sansom
Destruction after the eruption
Associated hazards included the risk of large pyroclastic flows,

which prompted authorities to urge residents to maintain a safe
distance from the main summit crater. There was also concern
about lahars, especially during the rainy season, which could
further endanger affected areas.
Freddy Sansom
Damage proxy map – Earth Observatory of Singapore

https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/what-we-do/disasters/disasters-activations/mt-
semeru-eruption-2021
In response to the eruption, local authorities and government

agencies took several actions. The National Board for Disaster
Management (BNPB) provided aid to displaced residents,
including meals, blankets, mattresses, masks, and refugee tents.
They also allocated funds to support temporary housing and
rebuilding efforts. Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited the
affected region to lead recovery efforts, and the Governor of East
Java relocated her office to assist with evacuation efforts. Mining
operations in the immediate danger zone were suspended to
prevent further casualties.
Freddy Sansom
Mount Semeru May 2021
Rescue and recovery operations were planned to locate missing

miners once the volcanic activity decreased. However, recovery
efforts were slowed down by superheated soil, and it was difficult
to access some affected areas.
In terms of sufficiency, the response to the Mount Semeru

eruption involved a significant effort from various government
agencies and officials. However, there were criticisms of the early
warning system's effectiveness and communication with
residents. Some residents reported not receiving alerts about the
eruption, and there was criticism of the poor management of the
situation by the Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard
Mitigation (PVMBG). The evacuation system also faced challenges,
as pyroclastic flows and ash affected evacuation centers.
Therefore, while efforts were made to respond to the disaster,
improvements in early warning systems and disaster management
may have been needed to enhance the sufficiency of the
response.
Freddy Sansom

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Freddy Sansom

Geography Summer Work:

Mount Semeru is a volcano located in the East Java province of

Map of volcanoes in Indonesia

The eruption of Mount Semeru

The primary effects of the eruption included pyroclastic flows and

Damage from Lahars, https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/what-we-do/disasters/disasters-

Secondary effects included ashfall, which affected multiple sub-

Destruction after the eruption

Associated hazards included the risk of large pyroclastic flows,

Damage proxy map – Earth Observatory of Singapore

In response to the eruption, local authorities and government

Mount Semeru May 2021

Rescue and recovery operations were planned to locate missing

In terms of sufficiency, the response to the Mount Semeru

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