Indonesia
The Merapi museum is an information, research and education center on one of the most dangerous and active volcanoes on **Earth, Mt Merapi **. The museum is located on the slopes of the volcano, near Yogyakarta. Anyone planning a trek to the peak should pay a visit to the museum.
History
The museum was officially inaugurated on the 1st of October 2009, a year prior to the major eruption of 2010 on which most of the documentation is based.
Documentation and records on volcanic activity including photographs and items are available to the visitors.
The 2010 eruption was the biggest since 1870. **Huge eruption plums, **pyroclastic flows and lahar ejected from the crater created massive destruction and forced about 350,000 people to evacuate from their villages to safe zones.
Merapi Museum now
The 4,470 m² museum sits on a 30,000 m² of land at the foot of Mt. Merapi. The modern two floor angular building resembles the volcano which is also viewable from the parking lot.
The first floor comprises several themes: Volcano World; Merapi’s Volcanic Path; Volcanoes, Humans and Merapi; Earthquakes and Tsunamies. The exhibition depicts the history of Merapi with pictures and descriptive texts.
On the second floor, you can view a 24minute video relatingMerapi activity from 1969 to 2010. Called Mahaguru Merapi, the short film presents two aspects of the volcano: how by spreading fertile ash it brings life to the region. Then, on the dramatic side, how it can destroy and take back all life.
This section of the museum is equipped with an earthquake and eruption simulator that can be activated just by pushing a button. You can then hear, visualise and feel some of the sensations of the 2010 eruption.
The main attraction stands in the atrium. It is an amazing model of Merapi in continuous eruption with fumes and magma.
During your visit to the museum you will discover a large collection of items including the volcanic bomb, a sample of hot lava issued from the crater in 2010. Ejected into the air at 1200° C, the piece of lava quickly cooled down while falling to the ground.
Other exhibits depict major eruptions like Krakatau in 1883 or world-famous volcanoes in Chili, Philippines and Hawaii.
How to get there?
Rent a car with driver or call Go-Jek or Grab. In normal traffic conditions, it takes only 30 minutes to reach the museum by car.
Opening hours and cost
Tuesday to Sunday: 8am - 3.30pm
Friday : 8am - 2.30pm
Monday : closed
Entrance ticket : Rp10,000
Audio visual ticket: Rp10,000
