Mineralogical properties of pyroclastic materials from Mount Merapi, Indonesia

¹ IPB University, Department of Soil Science and Land Resource, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
² Sulawesi Barat University, Agroecotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Majene 22559, Indonesia
³ Muhammadiyah University, Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Jakarta, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: kurniati25atikah@gmail.com

Abstract

Mount Merapi, located in Indonesia, is known as one of the most active volcanoes globally, often resulting in volcanic eruptions that produce pyroclastic materials. These materials from Mount Merapi’s eruptions have the potential to influence soil fertility in areas affected by the volcanic activities. This study aims to analyze the mineralogical properties of pyroclastic materials from Mount Merapi. The methodology involves collecting pyroclastic material samples from the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi, followed by analysis using various mineralogical techniques such as polarized microscopy, X-ray diffraction, petrographic analysis, and wet chemical analysis. The findings offer detailed insights into the mineral composition, types of clay minerals, overall elemental presence, and the rock types forming these minerals in the pyroclastic materials. Variations in mineral composition are observed in the pyroclastic materials from Mount Merapi. Predominant minerals, including the plagioclase, pyroxene, and hornblende groups, are distinctly identified. These minerals’ presence suggests their susceptibility to weathering, categorized as easily weatherable minerals. This tendency for weathering is shown by the presence of elements like Na, Ca, and Mg in these minerals, which are crucial macro-nutrients for plant growth.