Skip to main content

Galunggung


Lightning strikes during the 1982 eruption of Galunggung
Mount Galunggung (Indonesian: Gunung Galunggung, formerly spelled Galoen-gong) is an active stratovolcano in West Java, Indonesia, around 80 km southeast of the West Java provincial capital, Bandung (or around 25 km to the east of the West Java town of Garut). Mt Galunggung is part of the Sunda Arc extending through Sumatra, Java and Bali, which has resulted from the subduction of the Indian oceanic plate and the Australian plate beneath the Eurasian plate.


Hazardous eruption of 1982
Main article: British Airways Flight 9

Galungung eruption of August 16, 1982
The last major eruption on Galunggung was in 1982, which had a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 4 and killed 68 people. This eruption also brought the dangers of volcanic ash to aviation to worldwide attention, after two Boeing 747 passenger jets flying downwind of the eruption suffered temporary engine failures and damage to exterior surfaces, both planes being forced to make emergency landings at Jakarta.

One, a British Airways aircraft carrying 240 passengers, accidentally entered the ash cloud during night time in June 1982 150 km downwind of the volcano. All four engines failed and the aircraft descended for 16 minutes, losing 7,500 metres of its 11,500-meter altitude, until the crew managed to restart the engines.

The following month a Singapore Airlines aeroplane with 230 passengers aboard also inadvertently entered the cloud at night time, and three of its four engines stopped. The crew succeeded in restarting one of the engines after descending 2,400 metres. Both aircraft suffered serious damage to their engines and exterior surfaces.

Avalanche deposits

A hummocky deposit known as the Ten Thousand Hills of Tasikmalaya attracted the attention of early 20th century geologists. Houses were built on the hummocks since they provided good defence against hostile people, and being above the paddy fields were free of mosquitoes and rats.

Originally, it was thought that either it had been formed by a lahar caused by the release of the waters of the crater lake, or that it was man-made; composed of rocks and boulders dumped there after being cleared from paddy fields.

However, in the light of the Mount St. Helens eruption of 1980 and from examination of the Mount Shasta deposits it has become clear that the hummocks are a debris-avalanche deposit. Like these mountains, Galunggung has a horseshoe-shaped crater indicating a massive landslide, and examination of shattered lava blocks revealed them to be similar to deposits on the other two volcanoes. According to radiocarbon dating of samples taken from a lava flow the landslide happened within the last 23,000 years.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Largest Islands in Indonesia: From Largest to Smallest

Indonesia, an archipelago in Southeast Asia, is the world's largest island country, consisting of more than 17,000 islands. These islands vary greatly in size, from massive landmasses like Sumatra and Borneo to tiny islets scattered across the oceans. Here's a detailed look at the largest islands in Indonesia, ranked from the largest to the smallest. 1. New Guinea (Papua) Area : Approximately 785,753 square kilometers (Indonesian portion: 421,981 square kilometers) Description : New Guinea, known as Papua in Indonesia, is the second-largest island in the world after Greenland. It is shared between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Indonesian part comprises the provinces of Papua, West Papua, South Papua, Central Papua, and Highland Papua. The island is famous for its diverse cultures and rich biodiversity, with dense rainforests, rugged mountain ranges, and a significant number of endemic species. 2. Borneo (Kalimantan) Area : Approximately 748,168 square kilometers (Indonesi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Recipe: Nasi Bebek (Duck Rice)

### Recipe: Nasi Bebek (Duck Rice) ### History of Nasi Bebek Nasi Bebek, which translates to "Duck Rice," is a traditional Indonesian dish that showcases the rich flavors of Indonesian cuisine. Its origins are closely tied to the culinary practices of Java, particularly in regions known for their elaborate and flavorful dishes. The dish typically features tender, roasted or braised duck served with aromatic jasmine rice and accompanied by fresh vegetables and herbs. The preparation of Nasi Bebek reflects the influence of Chinese and Indonesian culinary traditions. The use of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in the marinade demonstrates Chinese influence, while the incorporation of local spices and herbs highlights Indonesian flavors. Historically, duck has been a popular choice in Indonesian cuisine, often prepared for special occasions and festive gatherings due to its rich flavor and texture. Over time, Nasi Bebek has evolved and been adapted in various regions of Indonesia, w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Angklung

Angklung is a musical instrument made out of two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved so that they have a resonant pitch when struck. The two tubes are tuned to octaves. The base of the frame is held with one hand while the other hand shakes the instrument rapidly from side to side.  This causes a rapidly repeating note to sound. Thus each of three or more angklung performers in an ensemble will play just one note and together complete melodies are produced. Angklung is popular throughout Southeast Asia, but originated from Indonesia (used and played by the Sundanese since the ancient times).
Post a Comment
Read more