The Toba caldera is the only supervolcano in existence that can be described as Yellowstone's "bigger" sister. With 2,800 km3 (670 cu mi) of ejecta, it was an even greater eruption than the super eruption 2,500 km3 (600 cu mi) of 2.1 million years ago that created the Island Park Caldera in Idaho, USA. The eruption was also about three times the size of the latest Yellowstone eruption of Lava Creek 630,000 years ago. For further comparison, the largest volcanic eruption in historic times, in 1815 at Mount Tambora (Indonesia), ejected the equivalent of around 100 km3 (24 cu mi) of dense rock and made 1816 the "Year Without a Summer" in the whole northern hemisphere, while the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington State ejected around 1.2 km3 (0.29 cu mi) of material. The largest known eruption since the Toba event, the Oruanui eruption in New Zealand around 24,500 BCE, ejected the equivalent of 530 km3 (130 cu mi) of magma.
The subsequent collapse formed a caldera that, after filling with water, created Lake Toba. The island in the center of the lake is formed by a resurgent dome.
As the slogan by Airasia that "everyone can flight " encourage me and my friends decide to went for a visit to Lake toba, Medan Indonesia . the flight from LCCT airport KL take us 1 hour to reach Medan then need to took 5 hour car trip up to the mountain.The temperature there is around 18- 20 degree... is cozy and nice weather .we took a boat ride to our hotel is just in the middle on the lake .
It took us 25 minit ride to our hotel call Samosir Villa Resort http://www.samosirvillaresort.com/ that have recommended by trip advisor. Is a very nice hotel and the stuff is very helpful and friendly.
for a little bit info Lake Toba
for a little bit info Lake Toba
- People
Most of the people who live around Lake Toba are ethnically Bataks. Traditional Batak houses are noted for their distinctive roofs (which curve upwards at each end, as a boat's hull does) and their colorful decor.
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There is a regular ferry service, every half hour, between Tuk-Tuk on Samosir Island to Parapat. The ferry runs between 7.30am and 7.30pm during peak tourist seasons. During off peak times the last ferry back from Parapat is 6pm. The cost of the ferry is 7000Rp. Buy your ticket on the boat. At the ferry wharf and on the ferry you will be approached by many of the local young men trying to persuade you to go to the hotel they are affiliated with. These guys are mostly harmless and just trying to make a living guiding tourists. They can be a good resource for information. There is no harm in going and checking their hotel out and if you're not happy with that hotel move on to the ones close by. Tuk-tuk is not that large so the hotels are close.
On the island there are waterfalls and hot volcanic springs (Air Panas). In the dry season most of the waterfalls stop flowing.
Three megalithic sites on Samosir bear witness to the glory - and horror - of Batak history. The three consist of 300-year-old stone seats and benches arrayed in a circle. The first set of ruins was used as a conference area for Batak kings. At the second site, the rajas would sit in judgment of a criminal or enemy prisoner. If the accused were found guilty, the assembly would move to the third set, which features the ghastly addition of a central stone execution block.
At Simanindo, 19km from Tuk-Tuk, is the Batak Museum built in the house where Raja Sidauruk lived. Here you can see traditional dancing (Tordon) and puppet performances (Sigalegale). Sigalegale was originally performed at Batak funerals, the puppets being the receptacle for the soul of the deceased.
All over Samosir Island you will see lots of traditional Batak houses as well as the Batak grave sites which are suspended above the ground.
The Batak houses have lots of symbolism built into their design.
Toba Trip Slideshow: John’s trip from Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia to Medan, Indonesia was created by TripAdvisor. See another Medan slideshow. Take your travel photos and make a slideshow for free.
