Do Not Forget Samalas: From Global Catastrophe to the Future of Geotourism

By: Niken Arumdati, ST, M.Sc and Dr. Ir. Heryadi Rachmat, MM

In the 13th century, the world experienced a dark period recorded in numerous historical accounts. Europe was gripped by prolonged winters, dry fog blanketed the skies, harvests failed, and disease spread widely. In England, a monk and chronicler, Matthew Paris, documented mass deaths among the poor and a pervasive sense of fear amid deep uncertainty. Yet for centuries, the cause of this global crisis remained unknown.

Modern science has since lifted the veil. Through the analysis of ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica, scientists identified sulfate anomalies pointing to a massive event in the past. Interdisciplinary research eventually concluded that the source of this extreme climate disruption lay in the Indonesian archipelago, specifically, a colossal eruption from an ancient volcano within the Mount Rinjani complex, known as Mount Samalas.

The 1257 eruption of Samalas ranks among the largest in human history. Its magnitude is even estimated to have surpassed that of Mount Tambora. Massive volumes of volcanic material were ejected into the atmosphere, forming aerosol layers that reflected sunlight, reduced global temperatures, and triggered climatic anomalies that lasted for years. The impacts were not confined locally but extended across continents.

For the people of Lombok, however, this event is more than a scientific finding. It lives on in collective memory, preserved in the ancient manuscript of the Babad Lombok. One passage vividly recounts how Mount Rinjani collapsed and Mount Samalas was destroyed, accompanied by roaring flows of stones that devastated the village of Pamatan, sweeping away homes and carrying them out to sea. Many lives were lost, described as being carried away and perishing in the disaster. This account is not merely symbolic storytelling; it is a powerful narrative of a catastrophic event witnessed by past generations.

What was once regarded as legend has now gained scientific validation. Oral and written local histories converge with modern geological evidence, forming a coherent and compelling account of a transformative event that reshaped both landscape and civilization.

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The traces of the Samalas eruption remain visible today. Pyroclastic deposits scattered across Lombok form a distinctive landscape that preserves the record of this ancient catastrophe. Discoveries of artifacts, ceramics, remnants of buildings, and even human bones buried beneath volcanic material, reinforce the picture of a civilization lost to disaster. This landscape is not merely a natural formation; it is a geological archive that tells the story of the relationship between humans and nature.

In today’s context, Samalas presents a significant opportunity through the development of geotourism. Global tourism trends are shifting from passive enjoyment of scenery toward meaningful and educational experiences.

Geotourism responds to this demand by offering deeper understanding of geological processes, Earth’s history, and the dynamics of disasters that shape human civilization.

The caldera area, now home to Segara Anak Lake, stands as a striking example of how catastrophe can give rise to landscapes of exceptional value. The pyroclastic cliffs along the northern coast of Lombok serve as open-air natural laboratories for education and research. Sites where artifacts have been discovered hold strong potential to be developed into geoarchaeological areas that integrate geological science with human history.

Yet, some of this potential has ironically been revealed through extractive activities such as sand and pumice mining. This underscores a critical reality: without proper management, areas of high geological value risk being diminished by short-term economic interests. Geotourism offers a balanced approach by transforming such landscapes into sustainable economic resources while ensuring their conservation.

Samalas is a global asset belonging to Indonesia. Its eruption is recognized as one of the most significant volcanic events of the Holocene. The narrative of an eruption in Lombok that altered the global climate is a powerful identity that few regions possess. With proper management, Samalas can become an international geotourism icon, elevating the global standing of Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara.

Samalas is not merely a story of the past. It is a reminder of nature’s power, human vulnerability, and the importance of knowledge in shaping the future. Promoting Samalas through geotourism means preserving memory while building a new path toward sustainable development.

Samalas must not be forgotten, for within it lies lessons that remain relevant across time.

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