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How dangerous is the volcanic eruption in Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung?

The latest eruption spewed 5000- metre high column of ash And smoke into the air, with ash covering three districts and darkening the sky.

Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung volcano erupted on August 10, 2020; sending a column of ash and smoke more than 16,000 feet into the air. The volcano became active in 2010, erupting after nearly 400 years of inactivity.

According to the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), USA, generally, there are about 20 volcanoes actively erupting every day. As per the weekly volcanic activity report prepared by The Smithsonian and US Geological Survey’s (USGS) Volcano Hazards program, for the week ending August 4, 2020, there were 17 volcanoes across the world with continuing eruptions. As per USGS, there are about 1,500 potentially active volcanoes worldwide.

Indonesia is home to many active volcanoes, due to its position on the “Ring of Fire”, or the Circum-Pacific Belt, which is an area along the Pacific Ocean characterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. The Ring of Fire is home to about 75 per cent of the world’s volcanoes and about 90 per cent of its earthquakes.

The current eruption:
According to a report in the Jakarta Post, "August 10, 2020" eruption was the third since Saturday, with the volcano spewing 5000-metre high column of ash and smoke into the air, followed by another eruption that produced a 2000-metre high column.
Farmers clean volcanic ash from vegetables after the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano in Karo, Indonesia, on August 11. (Photo: Antara Foto/ Sastrawan Ginting/via Reuters)

The ash from "August 10, 2020" explosion covered three districts and “turned the sky dark”, the Jakarta Post reported. More eruptions are likely in the coming days.

What are the recent eruptions?
The volcano, which is situated in North Sumatra, has been active since 2010.

Another eruptive phase for the volcano began in September 2013, which continued uninterrupted until June 2018, according to information maintained by the National Museum of Natural History’s Global Volcanism Program. During the 2018 eruption, the volcano released ash 5-7 km into the air, coating villages.

Why do volcanoes erupt?
A volcano can be active, dormant or extinct. An eruption takes place when magma (a thick flowing substance), formed when the earth’s mantle melts, rises to the surface. Because magma is lighter than solid rock, it is able to rise through vents and fissures on the surface of the earth. After it has erupted, it is called lava.

Not all volcanic eruptions are explosive, since explosivity depends on the composition of the magma. When the magma is runny and thin, gases can easily escape it, in which case, the magma will flow out towards the surface. On the other hand, if the magma is thick and dense, gases cannot escape it, which builds up pressure inside until the gases escape in a violent explosion.

When do Volcanic Eruptions became dangerous?
According to the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), USA, generally, there are about 20 volcanoes actively erupting every day. As per the weekly volcanic activity report prepared by The Smithsonian and US Geological Survey’s (USGS) Volcano Hazards program, for the week ending August 4, 2020, there were 17 volcanoes across the world with continuing eruptions. As per USGS, there are about 1,500 potentially active volcanoes worldwide.
Indonesia is home to many active volcanoes, due to its position on the “Ring of Fire”, or the Circum-Pacific Belt, which is an area along the Pacific Ocean characterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. The Ring of Fire is home to about 75 per cent of the world’s volcanoes and about 90 per cent of its earthquakes.

By: Jamal Abdul Shubboor
M.sc 1st year student Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar (A Central) University Lucknow

Note: The Post is edited and reprinted from the materials provided by The Indian Express.

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