The Indonesian volcano is regarded as active and has been erupting off and on for about 7 years, following a 400-year slumber, although the violence of this event caught many by surprise. Happily, it was short-lived and no lives were lost. But the event does illustrate the fickleness of volcanoes, and like a case of indigestion, a bad-tempered, frequently unpredictable response to rumblings in their internal plumbing. Eruption prediction ideally should provide sufficient warning to all those who live nearby; Sinabung decided otherwise. Continue reading
Tag Archives: volcanic eruption
Class 5; The Toba eruption – how a super volcano almost stopped humanity in its tracks
Toba Lake, in northern Sumatra, occupies the ancient Toba caldera. One of its outlets, the Asahan River, is the site of some spectacular white-water, a kayaker’s delight. For anyone willing to run the river, spare a thought for your early human ancestors, who it seems, were lucky to survive the aftermath of a cataclysmic super volcanic eruption 74,000 years ago. Be thankful that they did. Continue reading
Class 5; In The Shadow Of The Volcano
Pucon, Chile
Kayaking on a volcano
Pucon is a tourist destination, nestled between rugged hills and Largo (Lake) Villarrica in central Patagonia, Chile. One of its attractions is rivers with a bit of everything for kayakers and rafters, from Class V to Class II rapids and waterfalls, through bush and steep gorges. Idyllic? Normally yes, except that the most active volcano in Chile is right on your doorstep – in fact at times it’s in your living room. Continue reading