Rumbles on Mount Merapi, Indonesia's Most Active Volcano, Causes Mass Evacuation

“The coverings are designed to protect Borobudur temple from volcanic ash once Mount Merapi erupts, which is likely due to increasing volcanic activity,”

Wiwit added that the work has yet to cover the whole edifice. “The tarpaulin and plastic have covered 32 slit stupas on Borobudur’s 8th level, out of 1 main stupa, 72 slit stupas and 1,472 small stupas,” she noted.

“The tarpaulins, which can be rolled out when needed, are proven safe for Borobudur' andesite stone. We have used them before on Mount Merapi’s previous eruption in 2010, as well as another eruption on Mount Kelud’s in 2014.

BKB official Bramantara agreed. “The tarpaulins cannot merely cover Borobudur, as we have to position the tarpaulins correctly before installing them,” he said.

“Volcanic ash is fine and sharp. They can flake [Borobudur’s surface], and if mixed with rainwater can erode the temple.”

UNESCO designated Borobudur as a World Heritage site in 1991. 

(Writers : Labib Zamani, Solo Contributor, Ika Fitriana, Magelang Contributor | Editor : Teuku Muhammad Valdy Arief, Khairina)

Sources:

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/12/12333831/terdengar-suara-gemuruh-warga-lereng-gunung-merapi-di-boyolali-minta?page=all#page2. 

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/11/16294721/antisipasi-hujan-abu-merapi-stupa-candi-borobudur-ditutup-terpaulin?page=all.