A portrait of dedicated volcano watchers
ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Lumajang
It was drizzling on one of the peaks of Mount Semeru in Lumajang on Friday night, drenching the earth, plants and rocks at the mountain top. The volcano is some 250 kilometers east of the capital of East Java, Surabaya.
"This is what I like most, very pleasant, especially while watching Mahameru peak in the distance billowing its mushroom- shaped fumes," said Heri Kusurandarto, one of the staff at the Mount Semeru observation post, while sipping a hot cup of coffee.
The observation post is located in Sumber Wuluh village, Candi Pura district, Lumajang, 790 meters above sea level with an average temperature of 20 degrees centigrade. The 3,676-meter- high Mahameru peak can be clearly seen from the post.
The Semeru observation post consists of two main buildings, built on a two-hectare plot of land. The first building beside the main entrance is used as guest quarters.
The second building acts as the observation center, and is equipped with two computers, a seismograph, a model of Mount Semeru and a board charting the volcanic activities of the mountain.
Heri describes working at the observation post as challenging because his job of monitoring the condition of the volcano, which until now is still emitting hot lava, can save the lives of people living on the slopes of the mountain.
The vibrations from Mounts Lamongan, Leker, Semeru and Bromo are recorded by the seismograph 24 hours a day. The data is then analyzed every 12 hours.
"The analysis is copied onto a CD and sent to the Directorate of Volcanology, Mitigation and Geology in Bandung, West Java, once a month," he explained. The directorate then determines the status of the volcanoes being observed.
The job is not without risks. In 2000, two employees of the Semeru observation post along with a foreign volcanologist were killed and four others injured on Mahameru peak.
The incident was quite unexpected because it was not preceded by tremors. Working in a situation of high risk, however, has not diminished the courage of the observation post personnel.
Besides monitoring the seismograph, they have to inspect the condition of equipment installed on the lower slopes of the volcanoes, such as examining the condition of their batteries. If need be, they have to climb to the peaks to check the latest situation at the crater brims.
The director of the Mount Bromo observation post, Syafi'i, sees his job as normal.
"We will continue working to remind residents not to get too close to the crater, especially when the mountain is active," he said. Mount Bromo showed signs of activity in early April of this year.
The cool and calm climate, in addition to the sounds of wild animals on the mountain, makes Heri and his two colleagues, Suparno (coordinator) and Liswanto, feel at home. They likened it to being a holiday every day.
The serenity and the location far from the hustle and bustle of city life has, however, created problems of their own. Heri and Liswanto said that they often felt homesick. Watching TV, listening to the radio or surfing the Internet is often not enough to cure their homesickness.
"City folks yearn for the country life, but we instead long for the city life," said Liswanto smiling.
The only way for them is to go down the mountain and back to the modern world again. And so, they arrange a schedule that does not interfere with their duties.
Liswanto, for example, prefers to return home to his family near the Pronojiwo bus terminal, which is 15 kilometers from the observation post, where a more lively and homely atmosphere with his wife and two children is sure to perk him up again.
The work of government employees such as Liswanto is never taken into account by the public, although their jobs are very important and can save many lives in event of a volcanic eruption, such as that which happened recently at Mount Talang, West Sumatra.