October 26, 2010 Eruption of Merapi

Indonesia's most active volcano, Mount Merapi, has killed over 320 people in a series of eruptions that started on October 26. The first phase of the eruption occurred on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 17:00 killing at least 36 people. The eruption was characterized by explosions along with pyroclastic flows that traveled WSW and SE. CVGHM reported that multiple pyroclastic flows occurred until 1854, when the pyroclastic flow activity started to subside. Most of the pyroclastic flows lasted 2 to 9 minutes, except for two that lasted 33 minutes each. The eruption was preceded by an increase in volcanic earthquakes and authorities had been encouraging evacuations, but many remained. The deaths included a 2 month old baby and the volcano's spiritual leader.

Between Thursday, November 4 and Friday, Nov 5 the volcano erupted killing over 280 people. Dozens are being treated for burns and respiratory problems after a gas cloud hit villages with even greater force than the previous eruptions. Over 300,000 people have been evacuated from the area. As many as 427 victims of the eruption were still treated at hospitals.

The eruption has directly affected the rural area and claimed 367 human fatalities, 277 injured, 410,388 evacuated as well as the damaged of infrastructures, houses, live stocks and agriculture areas. The volcanic ash spewed few kilometers above the summit and wind blows the ash endangered the cities and aviation. During the peak of crisis the Airport of Yogyakarta was closed. (reference #11801)

Loss is estimated at over 600 million US dollars. A large portion of the loss is related to forest devastation which consisted of 1.12 million ruined trees in 2,800 hectares of forest areas, loses in tourism, and damage to fruit plantations. (reference #9136)