VOLCANO MADNESS: [Geology2] New study links Java quakes to Indonesia's mud volcano

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

[Geology2] New study links Java quakes to Indonesia's mud volcano

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Mud volcano in Indonesia

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New study links Java quakes to Indonesia's mud volcano

JAKARTA : It has been more than 4 years since an underground mud volcano in East Java erupted, submerging tens of thousands of houses in sludge.

Up till now, experts cannot agree what caused one of the world's worst environmental disasters.

The latest study by a team of Russian geologists concluded that the mudflow was caused by two earthquakes in Java.

Their research - sanctioned by both the Russian and Indonesian governments - is based on seismic data of the disaster area from 2003 till 2006 - when the mud started to flow.

Their conclusion is that two earthquakes near Sidoarjo were responsible for the mudflow.

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Jogjakarta in 2006 proved to be the decisive one.

Two days later - some 185 kilometres away - an underground mud volcano erupted while a gas-drilling operation was underway in Sidoarjo.

Since then, the mud has not stopped flowing, and there's no indication when it eventually will.

But environmental groups in Indonesia are sceptical about the Russian findings.

"There was an international meeting of geologists in Cape Town, South Africa not too long ago. Experts from Lapindo were present. Majority of the experts concluded that the disaster was caused by drilling negligence, not by seismic activities or earthquakes," said Berry N Forgan, executive director of Walhi Indonesia.

The Russian experts - who have studied similar phenomena in Europe - argued that the drilling could not have caused the mud flow.

"If that drill was the trigger, mud must go directly on that hole and to the top. Now in that place, we can't see that situation. We know the first eruption was nearly 250 meters on site from well. And after that, during those times, there were some places of eruptions," said Dr Sergey Kadurin, head of the Russian Research Team.

The Russian findings also point to the existence of other mud volcanoes in Java, which could pose a danger as they sit on gas fields.

"We can give recommendations on places where you can drill but need be careful," said Dr Kaurin.

Forgan said: "Indonesia has yet to have accurate data relating to geological conditions in Indonesia - in particular Java Island. Drilling activities should not have been allowed until we have accurate data."

Despite the warning, gas drilling activities continue in many parts of Java.

The Russian experts' findings have strengthened the Indonesian Supreme Court ruling that relieved the Indonesia government and Lapindo Brantas - the drilling company - of any responsibility for the mud volcano eruption.

But environmental groups in Jakarta are not giving up the fight. They are exploring other avenues to bring to justice those who are responsible for the worse environmental disasters in the world. - CNA /ls