History of Ijen

Ijen Volcano: The Ijen volcano complex consists of a group of stratovolcanoes constructed within the large of 20 km Ijen caldera, the largest one in Java. It lies from exceed the northern east of Mt. Merapai (2,800 m) to the southern west of mountain Kendeng. Topography map Kawah Ijen is the centre for the youngest activity on this volcano with explosive eruptions from the crater being recorded up until 1936 (Van Padang, 1951). This volcano is still considered to be active. The primary danger may be caused by the eruption of Ijen are pyroclastic flows, lahar eruption, and lava flows. Slice map With the size of the crater is about 960 m x 600 m and has 5,466 acres wide, it’s obviously a huge crater lake which give a magnificient view and one of the nature wonder. Through almost all comercial flight operating between Denpasar and Surabaya, Yogyakarta or Jakarata normaly, if not directly over, then close by the Ijen plateau. ”As what writer had known from locals and the key person of the volcano, Mr. Im, Mt. Merapi is considered in dormant period, could be active at any time … “ Several extinct volcanoes are found inside the caldera such as Mt. Cilik (1872 m), Mt. Pendil (2375 m), Mt. Anyar (1276 m), Mt. Genteng (1712 m), Mt. Gelaman (1726 m), Mt. Kukusan (1994 m), Mt. Papak (2099 m), Mt. Widodaren (2100 m), Mt. Blau (1774 m), Mt. Gendingwaluh (1519 m), Mt. Lingker (1630 m), Mt. Kunci (1788 m). *** Volcano and People In many areas, volcanic ash helps create rich fertile soils that allow farmers to plant three crops per year. The most important cash crops are rice, sugar, and tobacco, with fruits and vegetables grown on the cooler highlands. Behind its hazard, it holds essensial for living. As it happened on the area of Ijen plateau, where there was a center of volcanic activity and historicaly made an enermous eruption, had deposited rich volcanic material which give an essential role to benefit fertile soils for use in cultivating the best plantation to grow. The coffee plantation covers almost all area of the plateau. Over 300 years ago, here was the famous Java coffee had ever been produced. Today, most villagers still rely on the yield of coffee along the years.