Kawah Wurung: Mysterious Crater Nestled in Ijen Geopark

TIMESINDONESIA, BONDOWOSO – Indonesia, a land of enchanting natural wonders, boasts a remarkable geological site that continues to captivate visitors from around the world. Just like Kawah Wurung, this destination is nestled within the geological marvel of the Ijen Geopark.

Kawah Wurug has recently achieved international recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark. This unique small crater offers a breathtaking glimpse into the Earth's turbulent history and the powerful forces that have shaped our planet.

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Geographical Location and Surroundings

Kawah Wurung is situated along the border of the Jampit Village and Kalianyar Village in the Ijen District of Bondowoso Regency. Its location is nothing short of picturesque, with lush mountainous terrain and a host of intriguing features encircling the crater.

Towering over the landscape are several awe-inspiring peaks, including Mount Kawah Wurung, Mount Genteng, Mount Pendil, Mount Pendlan, and Mount Anyar.

These peaks not only contribute to the area's stunning beauty but also hold the key to understanding the geological history that led to the creation the crater.

The Formation of Kawah Wurung

Hosnul Wahid, an expert in culture and community education within the Ijen Geopark management, shed light on the geological history that led to the creation of the attraction. The story begins with a colossal explosion hundreds of thousands of years ago.

Once upon a time, the landscape of Ijen was vastly different from what we see today. It was home to an active volcano known as Gunung Ijen Purba, believed to have reached an elevation of 3,500 meters above sea level.

Around 700,000 to 300,000 years ago, volcanic activity within Gunung Ijen Purba was in full swing, culminating in a cataclysmic eruption roughly 300,000 to 50,000 years ago. This eruption involved multiple phases and resulted in the expulsion of lava from the magma chamber within the volcano.

As the magma chamber emptied, the base of Gunung Ijen Purba collapsed, forming a vast caldera, akin to a colossal volcanic crater, with an impressive diameter of 18 kilometers and an area spanning 210 square kilometers. This spectacular geological event was not the end of the story.

Following the caldera's formation, the volcanic activity birthed 22 subsidiary peaks, one of which was Gunung Anyar. In a dramatic phase, these young peaks experienced eruptions, unleashing scorching pyroclastic flows. One of these flows found its way to what we now know as Kawah Wurung.

A Journey through Time

Kawah Wurung, situated within the heart of this geological marvel, is a testament to the Earth's ever-changing and turbulent history. Visitors to this site can witness the powerful natural forces that have shaped our planet and continue to influence the landscape we see today.

This UNESCO Global Geopark showcases the importance of conserving and appreciating the Earth's geological heritage. Kawah Wurung, with its captivating history and stunning natural beauty, stands as a testament to the significance of preserving such sites for future generations to explore and understand the incredible story of our planet. (*)

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