Like most of the volcanoes in Indonesia, Merapi is stratovolcano. The dome plugs up the volcano, making it difficult for other lava and ash to escape. A broad gouge funnels lava and ash flows from the top of Merapi to the south slopes of the volcano. The top of the mountain has no vegetation because erupted ash often falls there. Dense vegetation covers the flanks of the volcano.
Many farmers live in villages around the volcano.
The volcanic ash makes rich soil for growing crops, but it is a dangerous place to live. Like all volcanoes, Merapi has eruptions of different sizes. The eruption of 1006 spread ash all over the central part of the island of Java. The destruction was so bad that the existing Hindu kingdom was destroyed and the island was taken over by Muslims. Ash is falling on houses on the flank of the volcano and at least 300 people have been evacuated.