Indonesia - Geo Inquiry
By: Anubhav Pandey
Let's Start - Nov. 24
Photo Credit: National Geographic, Wikipedia, guardianlv.com
Basics - Nov.26
Jakarta
Indonesia's Volcanoes
Indonesia Train Surfing
Question Brainstorming - Nov. 28
I started researching even more and have been thinking about questions now, and I have some kind of idea. There are so many different natural disasters in Indonesia. And Indonesia as a country is huge,so what are the effects of the natural disasters on the country? I should probably focus on something more specific, that will help me guide my research. So I'll try to edit it and make it something concrete.
Till next time!
Volcanic Eruption In Indonesia
Questions Found!- Nov 30
This is a good question because there are many different natural disasters that affect Indonesia. Everything from huge earthquakes to mega tsunamis, and usually kill and impacts thousands.
I'll start my research after conferencing. Let's Start!
Research! - Dec.2
More Research.. - Dec. 6
So I've collected more research about the basics of Indonesia.
Overview Of Indonesia:
Capital is Jakarta
Population of 250 million
Over 14, 000 Islands
4th most populated in country (World)
Central Island Of Java (51% Of Pop.)
3rd largest Democracy
10th Largest Economy (Purchasing Power) (27%)
28.6 million Of Pop. Live in Poverty
Part Of The Pacific Ring (Ring Of Fire)
Has 400 Volcanoes (150 Active, 75%)
Economy Centers Around Agriculture -
Oil and Trade (90% Pop. In Agriculture)
- One of Most Frequent In The World for Earthquakes
This information outlines how large and populated the country is, and how natural disasters could potentially affect thousands of people. And what the effect of the natural disaster is.
Links:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2748.htm
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/geopedia/Indonesian_Volcano_Culture
Map Of The Volcanoes Spread Out In Indonesia. Photo Credit : Wikipedia
Research "AHA!" - Dec 12
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been doing a lot or research and I'm back!
I have gotten some great Info, that is very important to the answer of my question, as well as some images that will also help.
Info:
Many Small Villages Around Volcanoes
120 Million People Live Near Volcanoes
140, 000 Deaths In The Last 500 Years
Many Believe Volcanoes Are Deities, Perform Rituals
Manu Volcanoes Cause Huge Evacuations
Many Children And Adults Wear Masks To Protect Them From Ash
Often Causes Many Instances of Lung disease and Cancer
Hundreds Of Thousands Have To Evacuate Into Temporary Shelters
Roads, Buildings and Parks Often Covered In Ash
Often Halt Planes Other Transportation
Live Near Volcanoes Often Because Of Fertile Land
Many Believe Volcano Deities Will Protect Them
27% Of Indonesians Live Below Poverty Line -
Usually Affected The Most By Natural Disasters
Natural Disasters Damage Property - And Stop Economic Growth
Create Burden On Government + National Budget
To Finance Post Disaster Rehabilitation programs
- Increase Of Natural Disasters Multiply The Amount of People Living In Poverty
Table Of Volcano Eruptions in Indonesia's history
Table Of Recent Earthquakes
Final Research! - Dec.15
Hey!
This is my final bit of research before the winter break! There is a lot of information, and along with many of the charts I think i have enough information to answer my question. But there is still work to do, I need to hand in a graph (of my own creation) that has to do with my question. I need to brainstorm so ideas, so I'll get back to you soon!
Natural Disasters Create Nation Wide Shock due to natural calamities
Often Earthquakes are Terrifying Due To Unpredictable Nature and affecting large area
Many Controversial answers to the Natural Disasters -
Usually Governing Bodies Blame Natural Phenomena For Smaller Impacts (Ex. Floods)
Though often Blamed On Deforestation
Many Islands Don’t have Early detection systems
Leads To Many Inaccurate Warnings Of The Disasters
Extreme wet or dry seasons can ruin food crop harvests -
trigger inflation -
Put severe financial pressure on poor
There is at least one significant volcano eruption in Indonesia every year
The Eurasian Plate + Pacific Plate + Indo-Australian Plate = three active tectonic plates that cause the subduction zones form these volcanoes
volcanic eruption can cause considerable damage to the local economies by hurting companies that are involved in tourism, culinary, commercial accommodation, agriculture, plantation, and livestock
volcano eruptions take less human lives today due to better volcano observation methods in combination with better organized emergency evacuations
Earthquakes are probably the biggest threat regarding natural disasters in Indonesia - They are sudden and can strike in populous areas such as the bigger cities
In A Year two or three earthquakes with a magnitude of seven or higher occur in Indonesia and cause casualties and damage the infrastructure or environment
high number of Indonesian casualties is caused by the bad state of some housing facilities and infrastructure
This is why a average earthquake can result in many casualties, the collapse of many buildings and the displacement of people
30 Volcanoes are on the Most Populated Island Of Java
Volcanoes are worshiped as sacred home of deities
The Balinese people sleep with their heads toward nearby volcanoes
When the Nage people die they’re usually buried with their feet pointing in the direction of the ocean and their head toward Mount Ebulobo (a Stratovolcano)
When volcanoes seem “restless” offerings are made
The offerings can be vegetables money chickens and goats
This is to satisfy the gods, as well as bring happiness and good fortune
Many Indonesians believe that natural disasters are caused by personal behavior as well as influence the success or downfall of a leader (eg. political candidate)
Graph Planning Finished! - Dec.17
Hey!
Well, I've done so more research as well as some planning and I've finally have an idea on what my map will be about. So I think I will do a comparison map, that compares the different volcanoes (see Fig.2) in Indonesia with the areas with the largest population density. This will show how vulnerable certain parts of the country is, and what the risks are of staying there. I have done some looking around, and I will do my graph on the National Geographic Map Creator. It allows me to add specific icons and give a variety of detail when adding in my data for population density. I better get started soon, it's due tomorrow!
Photo Credit: Prevention Web Fig.1
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Fig.2
Photo Credit: Wikipedia & Geopedia Fig.3
Taking a Break! + Finding Contacts - Dec. 18
Contacts - Jan.5
I first contacted the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa, I figured that people with firsthand experience of living in Indonesia, will help answer the culture aspect of the question. I called them, but I didn't have any luck and was put on hold for 3 hours... :( So I am now going to send them an email.
I've also contacted earthquake and natural disaster relief organizations like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. I figured they might have seen how some survivors feel and are impacted by the natural disaster.
I've also contacted Ms. Grimwood, for suggestions on people I should contact.
I am waiting for replies on all 3.
Conclusion! - Jan.7
Due to the frequency of natural disasters in Indonesia, many have adapted them into their culture. There are 120 million people living near volcanoes, and many believe them to be deities or gods. They worship these volcanoes and preform many different rituals; The Balinese people sleep with their heads toward nearby volcanoes and when the Nage people die they’re usually buried with their feet pointing in the direction of the ocean and their head toward Mount Ebulobo. Many people integrate these rituals and views into their traditional religion, often praying or going to church in the morning and making sacrifices to the volcano deities later in the day. They also believe that the volcano deities will protect them or look over them, sometimes causing people to refuse evacuation of their homes. Many Indonesians believe that natural disasters are caused by personal behavior as well as influence the success or downfall of a leader (eg. political candidate). For many Indonesians, living beside a volcano or feeling an earthquake once or twice a day is commonplace, because of this natural disasters integrate into their culture, and is a way of life.
Indonesia has the most earthquakes in the entire world, and is one of the most likely places for an earthquake to occur, this causes the Indonesian people to "live" with natural disasters. This causes a huge impact on how people in Indonesia live their lives. Natural disaster cause huge financial pressure on the country, they damage property and stop economic growth. They directly impact the population living in poverty, with survivors usually only getting temporary relocation and with no date of when they can go back. Natural disasters also affect the the GDP, with 91% of the country working in agriculture, major floods or droughts can decimate much of the crop harvest triggering inflation. But natural disasters don't just damage the country economically, they also damage the country physiologically. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions often happen randomly, and many of the islands don't have early detection systems. This causes the Indonesian people to constantly live in fear of a natural disaster. There is still hope though, volcanic eruptions take less lives today due to better volcano observation and organized public evacuations as well as city/sector wide drills for earthquakes. But the problem is still there. In a year, two or three earthquakes with a magnitude of seven or higher occur in Indonesia and cause casualties and damage the infrastructure or the environment. There are still a high number of Indonesian casualties is caused by the bad state of some housing facilities and infrastructure throughout many parts of the country. Natural disasters are a huge problem, they put strain on the economic future of they country, the kill thousands and make others worry about their own safety. The social impacts of natural disasters are huge, and often cause much pressure on the country. But there are solutions are they are slowly getting better to one day, hopefully provide a safe home for millions of people.
Final Thank You
Here are the link for research:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/01/volcano-culture/andrew-marshall-text.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-15/an-indonesia-volcano-flights-update/5262324
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-33814748
http://www.preventionweb.net/news/view/37350
http://reliefweb.int/report/indonesia/indonesias-mud-volcano-victims-protest
http://volcano.si.edu/region.cfm?rn=6
http://www.indonesia-investments.com/business/risks/natural-disasters/item243
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/11/02/indonesia-and-great-challenge-natural-disasters.html
http://www.economics.hawaii.edu/jobmarket/Rush_JobMarketPaper.pdf
https://www.childfund.org/Content/NewsDetail/2147489721/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26167897
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-11-02-1619412080_x.htm
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/geopedia/Indonesian_Volcano_Culture