Ternate seismic region where active volcanic activity and frequent earthquakes are common. Ternate belongs to a group of islands that make up the Ring of Fire, known as the Circum-Pacific Belt. Around 90% of the world’s earthquakes and seismic activity occur in this arc in the base of the Pacific Ocean. The region consists almost entirely of an uninterrupted chain of volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches, and experiences continual plate movement. There are 452 volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire, accounting for 75% of the world’s dormant and active volcanoes. Ternate is dominated by the volcanic Mount Gamalama (1715 m).
Mount Merapi them, Mount Jamurdipo was later renamed Mount Merapi, which means "fire of Rama and Permadi." The Javanese believe that the Earth is not only populated by human beings, but also by spirits ("makhluk halus"). Villages near Merapi believe that one of the palaces (in Javanese "kraton") used by the rulers of the spirit kingdom lies inside Merapi, ruled by Empu Rama and Empu Permadi. This palace is said to be a spiritual counterpart to the Yogyakarta Sultanate, complete with roads, soldiers, princes, vehicles, and domesticated animals. Besides the rulers, the palace is said to also be populated by the spirits