Monitoring and Studies on High Risk Volcanoes in the Java Region/Indonesia

In co-operation with several Indonesian science institutions a programme was launched in early 2004 to study the various expressions of volcanism in the Java region, its relations to the active subduction environment, and to install a real-time multi-parameter (MP) monitoring station. Three Indonesian volcanoes were seleced: Krakatau, Merapi and Kelut. The interdisciplinary programme consists of three sub-projects: (1) Krakatau Monitoring (KRAKMON): real-time observations of the volcano noise and micro-seismicity, of electro-magnetic, gas-chemical and thermal parameters as well as of the deformation of the volcanic edifice and meteorological influences. Video monitoring and a data centre are integrated. The station will be set into operation in April 2005. (2) Merapi Amphibious Experiment (MERAMEX): tomographic studies (vp and Qp) on the Merapi edifice and its surroundings by active and passive seismic surveys simultaneously along with 120 land stations and 14 Ocean Bottom Sensors providing high-resolution 3-dimensional models from the surface down to the plate interface in order to image the complete pathways of fluids and melts. Field work ended in October 2004. First results are presented. (3) Development of Highly Explosive Volcanoes at Active Continental Margins (DEVACOM): Analysis of samples of erupted material from selected volcanoes under in-situ eruption conditions in order to mineralogically and petrophysically model the current processes. The reliability of the models will be examined by comparison of different volcano types. Visual video monitoring will provide direct correlation to the data sets observed at the Krakatau MP station. Sampling will start at the end of 2004. The integrated results shall contribute to a better risk assessment in the study area and to establishing improved early warning systems by definition of critical parameters. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (03G0578A).