Culturally Disruptive Culturally Disruptive Volcanic EventsVolcanic Events

The Case Studies of Santorini The Case Studies of Santorini and Maratamand Maratam

16 Potential Disruptive Volcanoes16 Potential Disruptive Volcanoes

The Case of Santorini (1645)

The first phase of the eruption is a typical pumice fall-out deposit from an estimated 36 km high eruption column. It ranges in thickness on Thera from 50-500 cm (Pichler and Friedrich, 1980) or 10 to 600 cm (Heiken and McCoy, 1984)

What fell out of the sky initiallyWhat fell out of the sky initially

Many possible escape routesMany possible escape routes

A series of older calderas?

Volcanoes and Religious Shift: Merapi and Volcanoes and Religious Shift: Merapi and the collapse of Hinduism ???the collapse of Hinduism ???

The late Dutch geologist, Reinout Willem van The late Dutch geologist, Reinout Willem van Bemmelen, in his 1949 book, “The Geology of Bemmelen, in his 1949 book, “The Geology of Indonesia,” claimed that an eruption of Merapi Indonesia,” claimed that an eruption of Merapi blanketed much of Central Java with ash. The blanketed much of Central Java with ash. The destruction allegedly forced the Hindu Kingdom of destruction allegedly forced the Hindu Kingdom of Mataram, which had been based in the region of Mataram, which had been based in the region of what is now Yogyakarta but was being pressed what is now Yogyakarta but was being pressed from the west by the Srivijayan kingdom of from the west by the Srivijayan kingdom of southern Sumatra, to relocate to the eastern southern Sumatra, to relocate to the eastern portion of Java.portion of Java.

The vacuum left by the evacuation of the The vacuum left by the evacuation of the Mataram dynasty paved the way for Muslim Mataram dynasty paved the way for Muslim domination of central Java.domination of central Java.

Mostly SpeculationMostly Speculation Around 700AD to 900AD many Buddhist and Around 700AD to 900AD many Buddhist and

Hindu temples were being constructed in Hindu temples were being constructed in Central Java. Eruptions of Merapi occurred Central Java. Eruptions of Merapi occurred before, during and after construction of before, during and after construction of these temples and many were buried during these temples and many were buried during or soon after construction. Newhall et al or soon after construction. Newhall et al (2000) suspect that the destruction of these (2000) suspect that the destruction of these temples led to (or most likely contributed temples led to (or most likely contributed to) a shift of power from Central Java to East to) a shift of power from Central Java to East Java in 928AD. The temples that were left Java in 928AD. The temples that were left were soon abandoned and later occupied by were soon abandoned and later occupied by “caretakers” for several centuries.“caretakers” for several centuries.·  ·  

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Around the year 929, the centre of the Around the year 929, the centre of the kingdom was shifted to East Java by kingdom was shifted to East Java by MpuMpu SindokSindok, who established the , who established the IsyanaIsyana Dynasty Dynasty. . The exact cause of the move is still uncertain; The exact cause of the move is still uncertain; however, a severe eruption of Mount Merapi however, a severe eruption of Mount Merapi volcano or a power struggle probably caused volcano or a power struggle probably caused the move. Historians suggest that, some time the move. Historians suggest that, some time during the reign of King Wawa of Mataram during the reign of King Wawa of Mataram (924—929), Merapi volcano erupted and (924—929), Merapi volcano erupted and devastated the kingdom's capital in Mataram. devastated the kingdom's capital in Mataram. ". ".

Homework AssignmentHomework Assignment

Newhall et al (2000) assume that large Newhall et al (2000) assume that large explosive eruptions followed the large explosive eruptions followed the large culture change in 928AD in Java and may culture change in 928AD in Java and may have led to the decentralization of the have led to the decentralization of the Mataram civilization (a Hindu-Buddhist Mataram civilization (a Hindu-Buddhist Javanese civilization between the 8th and Javanese civilization between the 8th and 10th Century), but this decentralization is 10th Century), but this decentralization is strongly contested by Berthommier et al strongly contested by Berthommier et al (1992) who point out that Newhall et al (1992) who point out that Newhall et al (2000)’s assumption is based upon very (2000)’s assumption is based upon very little direct evidence. little direct evidence.

Slopes of Merapi Nutrient Rich; Slopes of Merapi Nutrient Rich; Good For Crops/VegetationGood For Crops/Vegetation

Current Lahar Hazard ImageCurrent Lahar Hazard Image

Historical Migration RoutesHistorical Migration Routes

Prior cultural exchange 20,000 Prior cultural exchange 20,000 years agoyears ago

The Mix of Cultures/Languages?The Mix of Cultures/Languages?

The Borobudur Temple Compounds is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, and was built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty. The monument is located in the Kedu Valley, in the southern part of Central Java, at the centre of the island of Java, Indonesia. (goes boom)