Mount Ruang

Source– This post on Mount Ruang  is based on the article “Indonesia’s Ruang mountain spews fiery lava thousands of feet into the night sky; tsunami alert raised” published in “The Times of India” on 19th April 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, Mount Ruang began erupting, sending an ash cloud more than a mile high into the sky.

About Mount Ruang

1. Mount Ruang is a stratovolcano located on Ruang Island, North Sulawesi.

2. Ruang Volcano towers at 725 meters (2,400 feet) high. Its summit reaches 10,932 feet above sea level and features a caldera approximately two miles wide.

About stratovolcano

1. Stratovolcanoes are tall, steep, and cone-shaped, differ from the flatter shield volcanoes by having higher peaks.

2. They are primarily located above subduction zones and are a major part of extensive volcanically active areas like the Pacific Ring of Fire.

3. Stratovolcanoes account for about 60% of the Earth’s individual volcanoes and are mostly known for erupting andesite and dacite lavas.

These lavas are cooler and more viscous compared to basalt, allowing gas pressures to build significantly and often leading to explosive eruptions.

4. These volcanoes typically consist of an equal mix of lava and pyroclastic material. The layering of these materials is why they are also commonly referred to as composite volcanoes.

6. Stratovolcanoes usually feature a small crater, which may be filled with water or ice, or contain a volcanic dome when the volcano is not actively erupting.

UPSC Syllabus: World geography