Lake Toba - The World's Largest Lake

Lake Toba is a large lake, 100km long and 30 km wide in the middle of the northern Indonesian island of Sumatra, Indonesia. When you see that you might ask for its natural beauty and beautiful landscapes, but remember how it was formed in the past. Large inland lake in the past spoken in local myths, but true story of Toba and how evolution huge inland lake, a knowledge of the history of the volcano Toba.

In 1949 the Dutch geologist Rein van Bemmelen reported that Lake Toba was surrounded by a layer of ignimbrite rocks, and that was a large crater. Later, scientists discovered rhyolite ash similar to that of the ignimbrite around Toba (now the couple Toba Tuff to distinguish it from layers deposited in previous explosions) in Malaysia and India, 3000 km. Oceanographers discovered Toba ash, with its chemical "fingerprint" feature on the floor of the eastern Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.

Toba eruption took place, what is now Lake Toba, about 75,000 years ago. It was about eight explosive volcanic index (which is known as a mega-colossal), which is probably the biggest volcanic eruption in the last two million years. According to research conducted by Bill Rose and Craig Chesne Michigan Technological University, the total amount of erupted material about 2800 cubic kilometers (670 cubic miles) â € "about 2,000 cubic kilometers of ignimbrite that flowed over the ground and about 800 cubic kilometers , which reduced to ashes, the wind blows which is west. In contrast, the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in the United States fired about 1 cubic kilometers of material, while the more large volcanic eruption in recorded history, Mount Tambora in 1815, has issued the equivalent of about 100 cubic kilometers of dense rock and created the "Year Without a Summer" as far as North America.

To give an idea of its size, consider that even if the epidemic has occurred in Indonesia, has a layer of ash about 15 cm (6) with a thickness of the Indian subcontinent, in one place in central India, the Toba ash layer today to 6 meters (20 feet) thick, and parts of Malaysia were covered with 9 m of ashfall. In addition, it was calculated that the amount of 1010 tons of sulfuric acid was thrown into the atmosphere of the event, causing acid rain fallout.

Then, the collapse of the crater was made that, after filling with water, created Lake Toba. The island in the southern part of Lake resurgent volcanic domes form.

Square Lake Toba EST visited on Indonesia. The nearest town of Parapat is the lake, which is about four hours drive from Medan (4-6 hours by bus). Public transport on the lake by boat (cheaper, the school boats with limited schedules and more expensive public boats that operate throughout the day). You can also rent a bike for a day or two and get out and about (Rp.50, 0000 a total of 4 liters of gasoline per day). The police have no control of the license and there is not much traffic - but beware of large trucks, buses and bridges diabolical. Good trip to take on the bike and travel north of Tuk Tuk around the west coast, stopping at sights along the way, as a variety of traditional houses. The bikes are almost always in a semi-automatic, no need to use the clutch to change gears.

Tabo Cottages is the most luxurious accommodation on the island. Prices start at around Rp.120, 000 per night, and climb from there. The rooms are very clean and modern as standards Sumateran. Internet is available from the home computer with a rated speed and Western-style food served in the restaurant is very good.

You can eat at the restaurant Jenny Samosir Island, Tuk Tuk. There is only one or two roads in the Tuk Tuk, then just ask for Jenny. Jenny and her husband run Rinto very simple, but pleasant restaurant overlooking the magnificent Lake Toba. You will notice that water is changed every day, often rare to find the accuracy and convenience. Curry is delicious. Be sure to try the lake, fresh fish, steamed or grilled. Even western food such as schnitzel (breaded pork, chicken or pork from the pan) is very good. For dessert, try fresh papaya, which grows in the yard or banana pancakes with golden-brown with chocolate sauce and sprinkle with coconut. After all the guests in the small town of only five tables are fed and happy, the guitar will Rinto the wall and to recognize its customers. When she sings the old songs of the good old days Batak and listen to music on guitar and melancholy voice, his eyes wander over the lake and you want to never leave again Samosir.

A trip to Lake Toba is definitely a trip exprerience for you!

via wayfaring