M erapi,   one   of   Indonesia's   most   active   volcanoes,   lies   in   one   of   the   world's   most   densely   populated   areas   and   dominates   the   landscape immediately   north   of   the   major   city   of   Yogyakarta.   It   is   the   youngest   and   southernmost   of   a   volcanic   chain   extending   NNW   to   Ungaran volcano.   Growth   of   Old   Merapi   volcano   during   the   Pleistocene   ended   with   major   edifice   collapse   perhaps   about   2000   years   ago,   leaving a   large   arcuate   scarp   cutting   the   eroded   older   Batulawang   volcano.   Subsequently   growth   of   the   steep-sided   Young   Merapi   edifice,   its upper    part    unvegetated    due    to    frequent    eruptive    activity,    began    SW    of    the    earlier    collapse    scarp.    Pyroclastic    flows    and    lahars accompanying   growth   and   collapse   of   the   steep-sided   active   summit   lava   dome   have   devastated   cultivated   lands   on   the   western-to- southern flanks and caused many fatalities during historical time. (Global Volcanism Program)

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