The calamity of eruptions, or an eruption of benefits? Mt. Bromo human–volcano system a case study of an open-risk perception

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper we investigate the question not of how, but why people actively choose to live with continued exposure to considerable hazard. A field survey of the human-volcano interaction at Bromo Volcano was based on semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed according to recurrent themes in the answers. Findings from field investigation were then confronted with previous existing concepts of human exposure to natural hazards. The result shows that the interaction between humans and the volcanic environment at Bromo volcano is multifaceted and complex. The Tengger people choose -rather than being forced -to live with volcanic hazards. They are not only exposed to its negative consequence, but also enjoy benefits and opportunities of physical, spiritual and socio-cultural nature that arise within the human-volcanic system. Following this perspective, the concept of risk itself must be revisited and expanded from a one-sided focus on hazardous processes to a more holistic view of risk that includes the various positive aspects that pertain to the entire system. The development of a generic human-volcanic system model could provide the basis for the development of an open-risk concept.

Disaster Mitigation Model of Eruption Based on Local Wisdom in Indonesia

“…People consider that the volcano is a part of their daily culture and life. They have a unique culture that portrays volcano as the center of the God and the symbol of greatness [33].…”

“…Differences in social, cultural and economic factors play an important role in the ability of communities to understand disasters and how they cope with disaster risks [51]. Like the Tenggerese people of the Bromo Mountains, they have five cultural adaptations that enable them to survive in the mountainous areas of resilience and high ability to return to their original state, attachment to place and knowledge of danger, the source of social and moral order, and catalyst for the process of change [33].…”

“…A jargon "Disaster brings blessings" always conveyed by the local government in motivating people to remain grateful for all the calamities that hit make the community stronger in the face of disaster. This jargon implies that the eruption is not only seen from the negative side of the damage, but the blessing behind the eruption disaster is much greater than the damage received [33]. Increased fertility of the soil as a result of volcanic ash [34] becomes one of the blessing forms of an eruption which can be used as a soil stabilization material [35].…”

Understanding Snake Bite Cases Pattern Related to Volcano-Seismic Activity: An Evidence in Bondowoso, Indonesia

“…They could survive and anticipate the disasters by observing the occurring of natural phenomena prior to the disasters, such as the birds leaving the eruption center [27]. The snake bite cases give disadvantages for the people living near or in the slopes of the volcano, although in contrary it is useful to predict the volcano eruption, so that people can prevent it or evacute earlier.…”

Multimethod Approach to the Study of Recent Volcanic Ashes from Tengger Volcanic Complex, Eastern Java, Indonesia

“…Later, using in situ Multi-Gas analysis and remote spectroscopic measurements, Aiuppa et al [8] measured the composition and fluxes of volcanic gases released by Bromo. The social aspect of Bromo and its inhabitants has also been studied, where Bachri et al [9] investigated the reasons why people chose to live near Bromo despite the exposure to volcanic hazards and found that the interaction between humans and the volcanic environment at Bromo was multifaceted and complex.…”