VOLCANO PRESENTATION

Kawah Ijen

index

Introduction

Blue Flames Phenomenon

Sulphur Mining

Biodiversity

Tourism

Curiosities

Quote

Quiz

kawah ijen

Gagliardi Giacomo CarloOberti Cecilia Romboni Krister Vermiglio Flavio Roberto

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Kawah Ijen

introduction

The volcano was formed over 300,000 years ago and is part of the Ijen Caldera complex. Its crater contains the world's largest acidic crater lake, with a stunning turquoise color due to its high sulfur content.

Kawah Ijen

SULphUR MINING

Sulphur mining at Kawah Ijen involves workers from nearby villages extracting sulfur from the crater's rugged terrain. They endure hazardous conditions, including steep slopes and toxic fumes, using basic tools to collect sulfur. Despite health risks, miners show resilience, working long hours to extract sulphur for industrial use. The industry provides income for local communities but poses health and environmental challenges. Efforts are needed to improve working conditions and minimize environmental impact.

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Kawah Ijen

BLUE FLAMES PHENOMENON

One of the most captivating natural phenomena at Kawah Ijen is the occurrence of blue flames, which illuminate the darkness of the night sky with their ethereal glow. These mesmerizing flames are not the product of conventional fire but are rather a result of unique conditions within the volcano's crater.

Sulphuric gases

High temperature

Combustion process

The blue flames at Kawah Ijen result from the combustion of sulphuric gases, which release energy in the form of light. This blue coloration occurs due to the excitation of sulphur molecules emitting photons in the blue spectrum, unlike the yellow or orange flames associated with typical burning materials.

Another contributing factor to the intensity of the blue flames is the high temperature within the volcano's crater. The extreme heat accelerates the combustion process, resulting in flames that burn intensely and emit a brilliant blue light.

The blue flames at Kawah Ijen are caused by sulphuric gases emerging from the volcano through openings called fumaroles. When these gases react with oxygen, they ignite, creating a stunning blue glow.

Kawah Ijen

TOURISM

Tourism at Kawah Ijen presents an opportunity for collaboration between the public and private sectors to develop infrastructure, leading to increased employment and income. Preservation of the environment and local culture is crucial for tourist attractions like the Kawah Ijen crater, motivating governments and corporations in Banyuwangi to maintain these aspects.

However, concerns arise regarding the exploitation of sulfur miners, who have become an attraction for tourists despite living in poverty. This phenomenon has led to Kawah Ijen being labeled as a dark tourism site. Nonetheless, tourism has the potential to positively impact host communities through initiatives like voluntourism and pro-poor tourism. Tourists also wield indirect political influence due to tourism's economic significance, offering them a chance to advocate for change.

Kawah Ijen

biodiversity

Diverse Animal and Avian Species

Flourishing Plant Life

Biodiversity Amidst Harsh Conditions

Kawah Ijen boasts a remarkable variety of animal species, from insects, spiders, and invertebrates to small mammals like rodents and bats. Avian biodiversity flourishes in the forests and cliffs, with diverse bird species aiding in pollination, seed dispersal, and insect population regulation. The acidic crater lake and other water sources enhance biodiversity by providing habitats for aquatic organisms adapted to extreme conditions..

Kawah Ijen hosts a rich variety of plant and animal life, defying the harsh conditions imposed by volcanic activity. The ecosystem surrounding the volcano showcases the resilience of life in extreme environments, with flora and fauna uniquely adapted to thrive in challenging habitats.

The forests and slopes of Kawah Ijen are teeming with diverse plant species, ranging from hardy shrubs to towering trees. These plants play vital roles in soil stabilization, erosion prevention, and habitat provision for a wide array of organisms. Despite the challenging terrain and sulfuric soil, plants like ferns, mosses, and lichens demonstrate their ability to colonize even the most inhospitable environments.

Kawah Ijen

thank you for the attention

Gagliardi Giacomo Carlo

Oberti Cecilia

Romboni Krister

Vermiglio Flavio Roberto

Kawah Ijen

CURIOSITIES

Let’s say that every day you walk to work carrying two men on your back. On the way you hike up a mountain prone to landslides and toxic wildfires. You pass tourists who take photos of your torment. When you arrive at the office your boss hands you US$10 for your efforts. He says go back and bring me two more men tomorrow. You agree because if you don’t your family will starve. Beaten and weary that night you sleep at the office. God sleeps there, too, in the next room over. In the middle of the night the office explodes in a toxic inferno. You survive knowing god was angry that night. This is Monday. Tuesday will hopefully be better.

THE MAN WHO SLEEPS IN A VOLCANO

THE LAKE

The crater lake of Ijen volcano is the world's largest acidic lake, known for its stunning coloration due to sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. Visitors can witness its ever-changing hues, from turquoise to green and grey, caused by variations in volcanic activity. Despite its warmth and transparency, prolonged contact with the water can cause skin irritation. Volcanic eruptions release methane gas, not lava, making visits safe under professional guidance. Volcanologists monitor the volcano daily, ensuring safety protocols are followed. The lake's vast expanse spans about 1000 x 600 meters with a depth of 200 meters.

Kawah Ijen

We are, all of us, growing volcanoes that approach the hour of their eruption, but how near or distant that is, nobody knows- not even God.

Friedrich Nietzsche