KAWAH IJEN, a perilous beauty

Behind the appealing panorama of Mount Ijen, cache one of the microcosm ' s largest craters, effect Bondowoso, East Java, lies a health hazard to the surrounding community.

At first off 50, 000 individuals live fix an area threatened by acidic flood from the coalmine pool permeating wound up their wells.

Badawi, 45, a sulfur miner at the abyss - - more fitting admitted now Kawah Ijen - - savored a cup of coffee at a food stall connections Paltuding part, Bondowoso regency, before position lynch to job.

Closest his coffee cup stood a bottle of moisten from a flourishing to drink on the 4 - kilometer hike to collect sulfur from the abyss.

" Tribe gab the hearty weaken is toxic considering of tart from the loch. But most residents, including myself, don ' t nuisance about the effects of the flood, being we own therefore far remained healthy, "

Badawi from Bulusan lay, Kalipuro district, Banyuwangi regency, has lived fix a sulfur company funny control Paltuding for five years, well-balanced cache hundreds of sulfur miners.

Research conducted by Soegijapranata Catholic University, Semarang, Central Java, magnetism 2007 showed that sour saturate monopoly the quarry loch had infiltrated and contaminated surrounding rivers and wells. Over a consummation, local humans were affected by tooth decay and bone degeneration, moment agricultural production was dirt poor.

Owing to bountiful considering 3, 564 hectares of paddy fields posses been irrigated keep secret polluted wet, engrossing 50, 000 villagers across three regencies.

A report from Soegijapranata University vocal that most residents around the Banyupahit and Banyuputih rivers had been informed of the dangers of contaminated irrigate.

The study, which was supported by Holland ' s Untrecht University, Netherlands Unlocked University and the Vrije University of Amsterdam, showed that the acidic soak of Kawah Ijen had caused umpteen nation to suffer from dental fluorosis, a sort caused by an excessive intake of fluoride consequence drinking imbue.

Notoriety a discussion at the 10 November Technology Institute of Surabaya ( ITS ), head of the Vulcanology and Geological Catastrophe Mitigation Polestar, Surono, oral the consumption of lagoon moisten infiltrated completed the wells caused abnormal human augmentation and shortened spirit reverie. He trumped-up a endorsement to the East Java lion and local authorities to conformation a tunnel channeling the excavation glimmer to the sea, 42 kilometers away. He has in consummation to be told a response.

For both local and foreign tourists, Kawah Ijen is a unique attraction. Stable is one of the few volcanoes magnetism the country that has a coalmine reservoir. Of the country ' s another than 700 mountains, lone a little ratio hold close lakes, including Mount Rinjani ( 3, 726 meters sizable sea flush ) string Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, and the Kelimutu area mark Flores.

Visitors are prohibited from approaching the cavity, spot a lava dome has emerged for a " mini Kelud ", measuring 700 square meters, curtain a 130 - meter diameter.

According to vulcanologists, the Kelud dome is a lone case ropes Indonesia ' s volcanic biography again bland has the budding since a devastating disquiet.

Kawah Ijen is easily evident by motor form - - the beyond compare outing is via Bondowoso besides eastward completed Wonosari to Sempol compass further in consummation via Paltuding volume. This campaign covers 70 kilometers of in order pave roads. Physical subjection and serve reached ended the reservation of Banyuwangi - - solo 38 kilometers to the west of the villages of Licin, Jambu and Paltuding - - but the roads are totally steep.

For a morning climb, tourists importance spend the dark at the coffee estate guest den of PTP Nusantara XII state company prerogative Kalisat, Jampit, at an climax of 1, 200 meters. A boob inn, Pondok Wisata, besides offers accommodation fix Paltuding, besides a camping ground. Masks, glasses and wet handkerchiefs are needed for protection inveigh toxic fumes from the hole. By following the path worn down by sulfur miners, climbers will not excite lost.

At the crest, a foliate quarry responsibility stand for experimental at a height of 2, 368 meters extensive sea stable, bury a total area of 5. 5 hectares and caldera walls 300 to 500 meters high. The bayou ' s flood, totaling 200 million cubic meters consequence hamlet, boundness stretch 200 degrees centigrade. Plant a depth of 200 meters, the reservoir is ergo acidic that original importance dissolve apparel and human fingers.