© Boardworks Ltd 20101 of 6

Plate tectonics: Indonesia

© Boardworks Ltd 20102 of 6

The Mentawai Islands lie just off the western coast of Sumatra, in Indonesia. On Monday 25th October 2010 a tsunami, caused by an underwater earthquake, hit the islands.

The earthquake occurred at 9:42pm local time, measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale. It triggered a 3 metre high tsunami, which hit the island late on Monday night.

Mentawai islands

The earthquake happened just 500 miles south of the earthquake that caused the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

Over 400 people were killed, and many more are still missing.

© Boardworks Ltd 20103 of 6

Tsunamis

© Boardworks Ltd 20104 of 6

Mount Merapi

Mount Merapi is a volcano on the island of Java, Indonesia. On Tuesday 26th October 2010 Mount Merapi erupted, releasing clouds of hot ash and gas which destroyed many homes and villages nearby.

Thousands of people have been evacuated as Mount Merapi continues to spew debris throughout the week. The latest

eruption occurred on Monday 1st November.

Over 30 people were killed after the initial eruption, and many more injured.

© Boardworks Ltd 20105 of 6

Volcanoes

© Boardworks Ltd 20106 of 6

Pacific Ring of Fire

Indonesia is in South-East Asia. Indonesia also lies along what is known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.

This area of the world has a lot of volcanic and

seismic activity.

Why do you think this area of the world

is so active?