4 Interesting Facts About Mount Agung, Bali

bali volcanic mountain

The Mount Agung is the highest mountain in the Bali. Since a few days ago, The eruption of Mount Agung has seized the public's attention. Especially because of since a few days ago, The Ngurah Rai airport is closed and make the tourists can not go to Bali.

In addition to the eruption news, there are some things you need to know about Mount Agung. Summarized from the Smithsonian Global Volcano Program, below are a few facts about Mount Agung.

1. Mount Agung can not be climbed at certain time

As is well known, in Gunung Agung there is Besakih temple which is the highest temple in Bali.

Therefore, when there is religious ceremony held at Mount Agung, climbing activity is at this mountain is forbiden. Localrules say that there can be no higher than the Besakih temple.

Therefore, when you want to climb Mount Agung, it is necessary to visit Besakih temple first to check whether there is a religious ceremony or not.

2. Mount Agung was erupted in 1963-1964

The eruption of Mount Agung in 1963-1964, one of the greatest eruptions in the 20th century. The eruption started on 18 February 1963 and ceased on January 27, 1964.

This eruption is also touted to decrease the earth temperature by 0.4 Celsius. This is happens because ash and toxic gasses are released into the air.

According to Richard Arculus, an Emeritus professor of geology at the Australian National University, when Mount Agung erupted 54 years back, it spewed large amounts of ash and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.

The sulfur dioxide then reacts with moisture in the air and forms droplets of sulfuric acid.

About 10 million tons of droplets are accumulated in the Earth's stratosphere and form a fog. This mist which then acts as a barrier and reduces the quantity of ultraviolet (UV) rays and creates a cooling effect to the atmosphere.

3. In 1989, there was a tectonic earthquake recorded around Mount Agung

In July 1989, Fumarolic and solfataric activity (restricted to the crater) emitted a thin white plume periodically seen from the observatory. In late July, 69 tectonic, three volcanic A-type, and six volcanic B-type events were recorded.
In addition, in November there were also activities in Mount Agung. Observations of the Rendang and Bundakeling observatorium did not capture the white fog from the solfatara field or the material released from the crater wall.

However, in November there were 59 tectonics and two volcanic shocks on Mount Agung.

4. Ever been detected a thermal anomaly at Mount Agung

Thermal anomalies were detected by MODIS during 2001-2002 in the proximal zone to the top of Mount Agung. The first warning occurred on September 23, 2001 and the greatest occurred on 12 August and 5 October 2002.

All of these warnings occur at the outside of the peak crater and are assumed as fires compared to volcanic activity.
Source: sains.kompas.com, volcano.si.edu
Image: By Michael W. Ishak (www.myreefsdiary.com)

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