5/16/2006: Merapi is angry

Undertoad · 05-16-2006, 12:46 PM

An active volcano gets you some of the most excellent images. Mount Merapi, Java, Indonesia, is threatening to massively erupt.

Today the mountain is blowing off the biggest plume of hot gas it's ever released, say the volcanologists. It's a coincidence because my girlfriend claimed I did that last weekend.

The smart villagers have bolted. But some others are fighting the battle the only way they know how: by giving offerings to the mountain. Here they've created a version of it in rice. Apparently the "food sculpture of mountain" theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind is universal.

Wearing funny costumes and dancing may also help.

Apparently the dancers have to paint on a layer of sunburn and grizzled concern. Being next to an active volcano doesn't do that for them?

The villagers are tempted to stay because their crops have so much value to them. But their crops may not make it anyway. Ironically, it's the volcanic soil that creates a fertile medium for crops like coffee. The ash of hundreds of years ago is helpful... but the ash of 15 minutes ago is not.

So why would you live there in the first place?

Because normally it looks like this.

Before this threat, Merapi has had smaller eruptions but nothing massively major since 1930.

wolf · 05-16-2006, 12:56 PM

They better hurry up and find themselves a certified virgin.

BigV · 05-16-2006, 01:11 PM

Sorry, can't help.

Actually, I'm not sorry I'm unable to provide this help, although I am filled with concern for those in the shadow of this impending disaster.

glatt · 05-16-2006, 01:15 PM

This is near Krakatoa? When that erupted 120 odd years ago, they heard it 3000 miles away in Madagascar. Lots of activity in those islands. I'd get off the beaches if I were vacationing there.

barefoot serpent · 05-16-2006, 01:50 PM

Mount St. Helens has been growing a nice cork lately. It probably won't match the major eruption when this one pops but it will make for some ash clouds.

Undertoad · 05-16-2006, 01:56 PM

Google maps link

1700 feet over, via Google Earth

Undertoad · 05-16-2006, 01:59 PM

I was wrong about the original dates for the last major eruption and I've corrected the entry.

Trilby · 05-16-2006, 04:33 PM

GoogleEarth is soooo cool. Thanks for the beautiful images, UT.

Elspode · 05-16-2006, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolf

They better hurry up and find themselves a certified virgin.

How does one go about obtaining a position as a virgin certifier? I'm thinking that, considering the usual uses for certified virgins, there might some pretty nifty benefits for being the guy who gets to say, "Nope...this one's not a virgin!"

Anymore...

capnhowdy · 05-16-2006, 05:23 PM

She would prolly give it up pretty quick when you started to throw her in.......

xoxoxoBruce · 05-16-2006, 05:58 PM

Good idea Capn, just hang around the mountain and when they bring the virgin offer her your help.

Kagen4o4 · 05-16-2006, 06:38 PM

capnhowdy · 05-16-2006, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Good idea Capn, just hang around the mountain and when they bring the virgin offer her your help.

Hee hee, hee hee
If I can't help her,
I can help me.

Problem: No volanoes in the Peach State.

xoxoxoBruce · 05-16-2006, 07:47 PM

This guy looks like Gallagher.

Kitsune · 05-17-2006, 08:56 AM

Since Kagen4o4 is pulling PBF references...

05-16-2006, 12:46 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	5/16/2006: Merapi is angry An active volcano gets you some of the most excellent images. Mount Merapi, Java, Indonesia, is threatening to massively erupt. Today the mountain is blowing off the biggest plume of hot gas it's ever released, say the volcanologists. It's a coincidence because my girlfriend claimed I did that last weekend. The smart villagers have bolted. But some others are fighting the battle the only way they know how: by giving offerings to the mountain. Here they've created a version of it in rice. Apparently the "food sculpture of mountain" theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind is universal. Wearing funny costumes and dancing may also help. Apparently the dancers have to paint on a layer of sunburn and grizzled concern. Being next to an active volcano doesn't do that for them? The villagers are tempted to stay because their crops have so much value to them. But their crops may not make it anyway. Ironically, it's the volcanic soil that creates a fertile medium for crops like coffee. The ash of hundreds of years ago is helpful... but the ash of 15 minutes ago is not. So why would you live there in the first place? Because normally it looks like this. Before this threat, Merapi has had smaller eruptions but nothing massively major since 1930.

05-16-2006, 12:56 PM	#2
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	They better hurry up and find themselves a certified virgin. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

05-16-2006, 01:11 PM	#3
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Sorry, can't help. Actually, I'm not sorry I'm unable to provide this help, although I am filled with concern for those in the shadow of this impending disaster. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

05-16-2006, 01:50 PM	#5
barefoot serpent go ahead, abbrev. it Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 2,623	Mount St. Helens has been growing a nice cork lately. It probably won't match the major eruption when this one pops but it will make for some ash clouds. __________________ Chooses rowing vs. wading

05-16-2006, 04:33 PM	#8
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	GoogleEarth is soooo cool. Thanks for the beautiful images, UT. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

05-16-2006, 01:15 PM	#4
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	This is near Krakatoa? When that erupted 120 odd years ago, they heard it 3000 miles away in Madagascar. Lots of activity in those islands. I'd get off the beaches if I were vacationing there.

05-16-2006, 01:56 PM	#6
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Google maps link 1700 feet over, via Google Earth

05-16-2006, 01:59 PM	#7
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	I was wrong about the original dates for the last major eruption and I've corrected the entry.

05-16-2006, 05:23 PM	#10
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	She would prolly give it up pretty quick when you started to throw her in....... __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

05-16-2006, 05:58 PM	#11
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Good idea Capn, just hang around the mountain and when they bring the virgin offer her your help. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

05-16-2006, 06:38 PM	#12
Kagen4o4 The Sheriff of Nothingland Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne, Aus Posts: 1,794	__________________ something we both can enjoy??

05-16-2006, 07:47 PM	#14
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	This guy looks like Gallagher. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 04-07-2007 at 05:53 PM.

05-17-2006, 08:56 AM	#15
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	Since Kagen4o4 is pulling PBF references...

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