Crisis In Indonesia

By Diana Gold
The Blue Print
on The West Wing:

                                                                            

Mount Sinabung on the Indonesian island of Sumatra violently erupted on February 25th, most severely affecting the two close-by cities of Medan and Pematangsiantar, and their surrounding areas. Sulfur dioxide gas now covers the region, which is currently suffering from minor earthquakes caused by the eruption.

The volcano is situated near the center of the highly populated Indonesian island, and its effects reach the coasts. Multiple tsunamis are occurring and are predicted to continue with an estimated immediate death toll of 200,000 people.

The eruption has a Volcanic Explosively Index (VEI) of 7. The Red Cross and Red Crescent positioned in the region have predicted the casualties to date to be around 300,000 people. Scientists predict the aftermath of the volcano to have a global cooling effect, much like the effects of the eruption of the Indonesian volcano of Mount Tambora in 1815.

The volcano is expected to create an immense humanitarian crisis on the island and Sumatra, which has a population of over 45 million people. Foreign aid is in great need as many Indonesians are left in devastation. Different countries around the world will come to their assistance.

Indonesia has suffered many other abysmal volcanic eruptions throughout its history. Mount Toba on the same island of Sumatra, erupted 70,000 years ago and caused an ice age that lasted 1,800 years. It left just 10,000 people alive on earth. Mount Krakatoa, situated between the islands of Sumatra and Java, erupted in 535 AD, causing a global cooling that led to crop failures and starvation.

Though the eruption of Mount Sinabung is not expected to be as devastating as those historically egregious volcanoes, it has greatly affected many Indonesian lives and is a definite topic for discussion and debate for global powers.