Search

Volcanic eruptions of the directed blast type are characterized by powerful explosions with a significant lateral pyroclastic density current (PDC) component that can travel at speeds above 100 m s–1 and affect hundreds of square kilometers around a volcano. This study presents preliminary results of a detailed fieldwork and stratigraphic study of deposits associated with the Ocoxaltepec Blast deposit, which originated from the Popocatépetl volcano during a strong eruption associated with the southwestward sector collapse of the volcanic edifice around 23,500 ka BP. Within the study area, which contains 58,870 inhabitants, we found 42 new sites where the blast deposit outcrops, in locations up to 25 km from the volcano crater, with thicknesses up to over 20 m. We divide these blast deposits into two categories: confined channel-fill PDC deposits and unconfined interfluve and upland PDC deposits. With the new data we have estimated the dispersion area of the directed blast to be approximately 338 km2. Twenty-nine of the new outcrops are located outside the hazard polygon associated with concentrated PDCs related to the lowest probability Plinian eruption currently considered from Popocatépetl.

DOI: 10.17014/ijog.v8i3.163Merapi is an active strato volcano located in Central Java. This volcano is regarded as the most active and most dangerous volcano in Indonesia. Since the twentieth century, the activities have comprised mainly the effusive growth of viscous lava domes and lava tongues, with occasional gravitational collapses of parts of over-steepened domes producing pyroclastic flows, commonly defined as “Merapi-Type”. Since October 2010, however, explosive eruptions of a relatively large size have occurred to VEI 4, and some associated pyroclastic flows were larger and had farther reach than any produced on July 2006. These events may also be regarded as another type of eruptions for Merapi. On October26th, 2010 such event happened, even though it was not caused by pyroclastic flows of the dome collapses, about thirty people were killed including Mbah Marijan, known as the Merapi volcano's spiritual gatekeeper, who was found dead at his home approximately 4 km from the crater. The Yogyakarta Palace subsequently confirmed his death. This time the disaster was caused by a sudden directed blast that took place at 17:02 pm throughout Cangkringan, Kinahrejo Village, at the south flank of Merapi Volcano. The victims were the local people who did not predict the blast threatened their areas, because they believed that the pyroclastic flows from the dome collapses as long as they knew, did not threaten their areas, and pyroclastic flows would flow down following the Boyong River as the closest valley to their village. The blast swept an area about 8 km2, reaching about 5 km in distance, deposited thin ash, and toppled all trees to the south around the Kinahrejo and Pakem areas. The blast that reached Kinahrejo Village seemed to have moderate temperatures, because all trees facing the crater were not burnt. However, the victims were affected by dehydration and blanketed by fine ash.