Mount Agung, The Mighty Volcano in Bali Island

Mount Agung known in Indonesia as Gunung Agung. In Bahasa Indonesia Gunung is Mount and Agung is Great or Mighty. It can be defined that the Mount Agung have very significant influences for the livings around the mount for its great name. Balinese traditional culture believe that Mount Agung is a replica of Mount Meru, the central axis of the universe. The most important temple on Bali, Pura Besakih, is high on the slopes of this mountain that treat as the mother of all temples in Bali. To enter the temple lied on the sacred volcano, one has to climb hundreds of steps before reaching the main gate.

Mount Agung is an active volcano which administratively lied in Karangasem District, Province of Bali. Geographical position of Mount Agung is 08°20' 30" South Latitude dan 115°30' 30" East Longitude. The peak of Mount Agung is 3.014 meters above sea level after the 1963 eruption. Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi or Indonesian Volcanology and Geological Disaster Center keep watching the Mount Agung volcanology activities. The Indonesia government's Geological agency have three observation posts for Mount Agung volcano activities in Desa Rendang, Rendang sub-district, Karangasem District, Bali Province at 8°25' 30" South Latitude, 115°26' 00" East Longitude, at Budakeling 8°23' 30" South Latitude, 115°26' 00" East Longitude, and at Batulompeh (8°15' 00" South Latitude, 115°30' 00" East Longitude. 

Global Volcano Program of Smithsonian Institution said that Mount Agung volcano type is Stratovolcano. Stratovolcano also known as a composite volcano, a conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava and tephra. Stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile with a summit crater and periodic intervals of explosive eruptions and effusive eruptions, although some have collapsed summit craters called calderas. The lava flowing from stratovolcanoes typically cools and hardens before spreading far, due to high viscosity. The magma forming this lava is often felsic, having high-to-intermediate levels of silica as in rhyolite, dacite, or andesite), with lesser amounts of less-viscous mafic magma. Extensive felsic lava flows are uncommon, but have travelled as far as 15 km.

Based on Global Volcano Program of Smithsonian Institution, the known confirmed eruption events of Mount Agung were in November 21, 2017 to June 13, 2019 as the last eruption before the Mount Agung back to dormant. The previous confirmed eruptions before the last confirmed eruption were in February 18, 1963 to January 27, 1964, in 1843 and in 1808. The Mount Agung eruption in March 16, 1821 noted as uncertain eruption.

Mount Agung respected as a sacred volcano for the Balinese living in Bali Island. As the highest point in Bali Island, the mighty Mount Agung can be seen from a distance. The volcano dominates the surrounding areas, have significant influence for the Bali Island climate, especially the rainfalls pattern in the island. The impacts of Mount Agung for Bali Island landscape can be seen at the surface of surrounding areas of the volcano. Volcanic black rocks spread out around the mount until the shoreline and underwater nearby. Many rivers formations like without water which left by the cool lava flow tracks filled with black gravels and sand.