INDONESIA

INDONESIA.

Agung Volcano Disaster Fund.
Second stamp in  a set of 2, issued on 29.06.1963.
Face value: 6 + 3 Indonesian rupiah.
Printing: Photogravure.

Catalogs
- Michel No. 408.
- Scott No. B155.
- StampWorld No. 449.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 970.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 346.
- Zonnebloem No. 407.

Mount Agung (Indonesian: Gunung Agung) is an active stratovolcano in Bali. With 3,031 m (9,944 ft) above sea level, it is the highest point on the island. On February 18, 1963, local residents heard loud explosions and saw clouds rising from the crater of Mount Agung. On February 24, 1963, lava began flowing down the northern slope of the mountain, eventually traveling 7 km (4.35 mi) in the next 20 days. On March 17, the volcano erupted, sending debris 8 to 10 km (5 to 6.20 mi) into the air and generating massive pyroclastic flows. These flows devastated numerous villages, killing an estimated 1,100–1,500 people. Cold lahars caused by heavy rainfall after the eruption killed an additional 200. A second eruption on May 16 led to pyroclastic flows that killed another 200 inhabitants. Minor eruptions and flows followed and lasted almost a year. Balinese people believe that Mt Agung is a replica of Mt Meru, the central axis of the universe. The most important temple on Bali, Pura Besakih, is high on the slopes of the volcano.