A Brief Note about the Ring of Fire and Bali
Indonesia, and of course Bali, are part of the so-called Ring of Fire, an area of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions encircling the basin of the Pacific Ocean. Some 90% of the world’s earthquakes, including at least 80 % of the very largest ones, occur along the Ring of Fire. Part of Indonesia, from Java to Sumatra and through the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and into the Atlantic, this region, known as the Alpide belt, is the most seismic next to the Ring of Fire. Indonesia sits in the middle of these seismic belts. So its not unusual for this the area to experience earthquakes and eruptions; it is a common thing.
Just recently, yesterday, the alert level for the Karangetang Volcano in Indonesia was raised to its second highest level 3, after an increase in activity. There are no people in a 100 km area of this volcano- the GDACS alert level is Green. Following is the Global Volcanism Report courtesy of the Smithsonian:
“CVGHM reported that on 28 November seismicity from Karangetang increased and indicated rockfalls. White plumes rose from summit craters I and II to approximate altitudes of 1.8-2.2 km (5,900-7,200 ft) a.s.l. On 29 November white and brownish plumes rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (5,900 ft) a.s.l. Incandescent rockslides from the main crater traveled 250 m S towards the Bahembang River, 250 m W towards the Beha Timur River, and 500-1,000 m S towards the Keting River. Thunderous noises were reported. On 30 November, fog prevented visual observations; the seismic network recorded 160 rockfalls. On 1 December, incandescent rockslides traveled 250 m S towards the Bahembang River, 750 m W towards the Beha Timur River, and 500-1,500 m S towards the Keting River. On 2 December, the Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) due to the continuation of elevated seismicity, run-out distances of incandescent rockslides, and height of incandescent material ejected from the summit. Based on analysis of satellite imagery and information from CVGHM, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 2 December an ash plume from Karangetang rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. Geologic Summary. Karangetang (also known as Api Siau) lies at the northern end of the island of Siau, N of Sulawesi, and contains five summit craters strung along a N-S line. One of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, Karangetang has had more than 40 recorded eruptions since 1675. Twentieth-century eruptions have included frequent explosions, sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and lahars.”
Bali has two volanoes, Batur in northeast Bali, is one of the most breathtaking calderas in the world, home to Batur lake as well, its last eruption in 2000, and Agung, the highest peak, is on the eastern side of the island and was last heard from back in 1963, when the eruption claimed over 1000 victims.