Monday, November 8, 2010

Mount Merapi

http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2010/11/08/indonesias-mount-merapi-a-volcano%E2%80%99s-lasting-legacy/
There are many inherent hazards when living near an active volcano located on the Ring of Fire.Mount Merapi, which erupts approximately every four years, has killed more than 140 people thus far and has damaged much of the surrounding ecology.
The closing paragraph of this article is relevent in that it talks about how the risks could possibly be managed better as the volcano damages the infrastructure and economy of the surrounding area. There are no suggestions as to how improvements could be made however.
Insert:
"Part of the problem right now is figuring out how bad the damage is on all fronts.  Suparlan, who works for Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), says disaster has not been managed well from his environmental perspective. “There is not enough cooperation with the local province and the national government,” he says. Water, which comes from springs in the area, has been cut off to many villages around the volcano, and organizations like his have not been able to get the access they need to assess the impact of the ash on the forests. Why weren't we better prepared? he asks. “We know Merapi erupts every four years.”

Cops on alert in Sorsogon due to Mt. Bulusan

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/205374/cops-on-alert-in-sorsogon-due-to-mt-bulusan

This is an article stemmed from concern of the hazards of volcanic eruptions and lahars. It shows what sort of warning systems are in place and what is being done to mitigate the risk for this volcano. The article does have one line about the geology of volcanic causes of mass wasting, saying "Do not cut trees surrounding the volcano for these will serve as protection from the harmful effects of lahar." It also has advice for government to help with their role in disaster risk, planning, and training.