In pictures: Cold lava and floods kill 41 people in Indonesia

The Indonesian island of Sumatra is in crisis after flash flooding and a cold lava flow from an active volcano, Mount Marapi, caused by heavy rain over the weekend, which has devastated the island.

The Associated Press reported that on May 12, Indonesian search and rescue officials said that 41 people had died due to the natural disasters, 17 are missing and over a dozen had been injured. 

According to CNN, cold lava flows down volcanos during heavy rains, a mixture of volcanic debris, including sand, pebbles, and ash, which turns into a thick mud and ash mixture. 

The New York Times highlighted that cold lava is also known as lahar, and according to the United States Geographical Survey, when it is moving, it looks like a “rolling slurry of wet concrete.” 

The United States Geographical Survey adds that large amounts of cold lava can "crush, bury or carry away almost anything in its path, including buildings, bridges and roads."

The Indonesian disaster response agency told CNN that roads and mountainside villages close to the active volcano Mount Marapi in western Sumatra were covered in the cold lava sludge. 

In addition, the agency told CNN that the cold lava mudslides had damaged 84 housing units and 16 bridges. 

The flooding affected four districts, and in the Agam Regency, 100 houses and buildings were submerged, and villagers were washed away by the floods.

According to National Geographic, Mount Marapi, which stands at 9,500 feet tall (2,891 meters), is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. 

It lies on what is known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is formed by 127 active volcanoes, the most active volcanoes compared to anywhere else on the planet. 

CNN highlights that in the early 21st century, Mount Marapi erupted eleven times. The worst eruption occurred in 1979, and 60 people died following it. 

Recently, in December 2023, 23 climbers perished when Mount Marapi spewed ash up to 9,843 feet (3,000 m) in the air, leaving the surrounding towns and roads covered in ash. 

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