Mount Merapi is an active stratovolcano just 28 km north of Jogjakarta and is one of at least 129 active volcanoes scattered all over the Indonesian archipelago. It is part of the “Pacific Ring of Fire” stretching from the Western Hemisphere through Japan and Southeast Asia. Studies have revealed that Merapi’s eruptions began about 400,000 years and up to 10,000 years the eruptions were typically effusive and the outflow of lava was basaltic.

The volcano has erupted regularly, where the last three major ones were in 1994, 2006 and 2010. During the 2010 eruption, people living within a 10 km (6.2mi) zone had to be evacuated. There were about 500 volcanic earthquakes recorded during the weekend of 23rd of October, 2010.

There are a few tour operators that offer exciting jeep tours, including sunrise and lava tours. Among them are: Merapi Jeep Tour and Merapi Jeep Adventure. A minimum of two hours is needed to join one of their tours.