4200m high Mount Tambora was one of Indonesia’s tallest volcanoes. It is a composite or stratovolcano, made up of alternating layers of hardened lava, pumice, ash and rocks.

Mount Tambora lies on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, just east of Bali and Lombak. Sumbawa was originally home to a farming community subjugated by Sulawesi. People grew rice, beans, maize and raised cattle. By 1800, it was a trading station, exporting commodities like rice, cotton and birds’ nests.

Recent excavations have uncovered silk and porcelain, evidence of possible trade with China.