Taking place at auditorium of Faculty of Geography Universitas Gadjah Mada on Thursday (10/3), Student Association of Faculty of Geography UGM in cooperation with IMAHAGI and Overseas Cooperation Agency (BKLN) held an International General Lecture on the topic Risk Management Based on Merapi Eruption. Three outstanding students from Universite Paris 1, Pantheon Sorbonne, namely Edouard de Belizal, and Adrien Picqouoit, and Estuningtyas Wulan Mei from UGM attended this event as speakers. They conveyed topics related to research conducted on Merapi eruption in 2010.
Under the theme Lava Flows after the 2010 Eruption of Merapi Volcano: First Observation, Edouard de Belizal explained lava flow occurred due to heavy rain at the peak of Merapi. He said that of the 23 valleys in the vicinity of Merapi Volcano, Kali Putih gives the largest contribution in the lava flow after eruption. "The high amount of volcanic material carried by the lava flow causes morphological changes of Merapi Volcano," said Edouard.
According to Edouard, there are still many shortcomings associated with the anticipation of cold lava disaster. Although there is Early Warning System (EWS) of lava flows in each river segment, the tool did not function properly. This is confirmed by the fact that the concentration time required for the lava to flow from one segment to the next segment ranges from 20-30 minutes. "Placement and designation of check dams and sabo dams are not considered appropriately. This has been a concern in disaster management of Merapi eruption which required local residents’ preparedness," he said.
Meanwhile, Adrien Picqouoit and Estuningtyas Wulan Mei conveyed the importance of understanding the social and economic conditions around Merapi, particularly socio-economic conditions that occurred in Bronggang sub-village on the southern slope of Merapi.
Exploring theme Disaster Management and the Impacts of the 2010 Merapi Eruption: Case Study of Bronggang Sub-Village, they explained previous Bronggang Village was in KRB III (Disaster Vulnerable Area). However, after the eruption, this village is in KRB II which has higher vulnerability. It is concluded that the understanding of socio-economic condition in this area is closely related to the evacuation during disaster and recovery. Decision-making related to Merapi eruption should begin with an introduction to the disaster itself and followed by good coordination between the government and volcanology experts. This is added by supervision of order and compliance to vulnerable area zoning and evacuation planning.
According to Adrien and Estuningtyas, knowledge of the physical and socio-economic characteristics before, during, and after the eruption of Merapi is very helpful in risk management eruption. Meanwhile, the placement and maintenance of check dams and sabo dams, vulnerable area zoning, land use and direction can be determined precisely. "The location of temporary shelters and sustainability of social and economic activities can be planned properly. This is especially important due to the status of Merapi which is still active and potential to erupt. Hopefully, Merapi eruption 2010 can increase curiosity about the natural systems that take place in Merapi Volcano," they expected.