Top 10 Volcanoes in Indonesia

Indonesia has the highest number of volcanoes than any other country in the world, crossed by the ring of fire which crosses through Indonesia and on through the Pacific ocean. Indonesia has over 400 volcanoes, with over 100 of these active.

Here is the top 10 Volcanoes in Indonesia, not based on size but more for activity and spectacular scenery to visit and/or climb.

# 1 Mount Merapi

Gunung Merapi meaning 'Fire mountain' is located close to Jogjakarta in Java. The first recorded activity of Gunung Merapi was in 1548 though historians note that Borobudur was destroyed in the 11th century by a violent eruption. Gunung Merapi still has high volcanic activity. Each year 7 million cubic tones is erupted and added to it's slopes. When it is quiet flights can be organised at night to fly over the volcano to views it's lava flow down the eastern side of the mountain.

Recent background

In late October 2010 the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, Geological Agency (CVGHM), (Indonesian language—Pusat Vulkanologi & Mitigasi Bencana Geologi, Badan Geologi-PVMBG), reported that a pattern of increasing seismicity from Merapi had begun to emerge in early September. Observers at Babadan 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) west and Kaliurang 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south of the mountain reported hearing an avalanche on 12 September 2010. On 13 September 2010 white plumes were observed rising 800 metres (2,600 ft) above the crater.Lava Dome inflation, detected since March, increased from background levels of 0.1 millimetres (0.0039 in) to 0.3 millimetres (0.012 in) per day to a rate of 11 millimetres (0.43 in) per day on 16 September. On 19 September 2010 earthquakes continued to be numerous, and the next day CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1–4). Lava from Mount Merapi began flowing down the Gendol River on 23–24 October signalling the likelihood of an imminent eruption.

On 25 October 2010 the Indonesian government raised the alert for Mount Merapi to its highest level (4) and warned villagers in threatened areas to move to safer ground. People living within a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) zone were told to evacuate. The evacuation orders effected at least 19,000 people however the number that complied at the time remained unclear to authorities.Officials said about 500 volcanic earthquakes had been recorded on the mountain over the weekend of 23–24 October, and that the magma had risen to about a 1 kilometre (3,300 ft) below the surface due to the seismic activity

Eruptive events

Merapi erupted three times on Monday afternoon 25 October 2010, spewing lava down its southern and southeastern slopes. Three major eruptions were recorded at 2:04PM, 2:24PM and 3:15PM.On 25 October 222 volcanic seismic events and 454 avalanche seismic events were recorded by Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation monitoring staff at Merapi.

The eruptions on 26 October started at 5:02PM. By 6:54PM pyroclastic activity had begun to subside following 12 eruption associated events being recorded by CVGHM monitors. In the 24 hours of 26 October 232 volcanic seismic events, 269 avalanche seismic events, 4 lava flow seismic events and 6 heat clouds were recorded by CVGHM monitoring staff at Merapi. The eruptive events of 26 October were classified as an explosive event with volcanic bursts of ejected material, visable flame and pyroclastic hot air flows. A column of smoke rose from the top to a vertical distance of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) from the summit of Mount Merapi.

On Friday 29 October activity including lava ejection and hot ash clouds were reported to be increasing again.

By early on the morning of Saturday 30 October the volcano was erupting again. Sri Sumarti, head of the Merapi section at the Volcano Investigation and Technology Development Institution (BPPTK), reported the eruptions were louder and stronger than the eruptions of the 26 October. Those earlier eruptions on the previous Tuesday killed 34 people. Ash from the eruptions on 30 October fell more than 30 kilometres (19 mi) away and now included ash falls upon the city of Yogyakarta. The morning eruptions lasted for 22 minutes and heat clouds flowed into the Krasak and Boyong Rivers also rising 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) into the air, westward toward Magelang. Yogyakarta’s Adisucipto Airport was temporarily closed from 5AM. to 7AM. On 30 October, Subandrio, head of the BPPTK suggested there would be further eruptions as lava continued to push it's way up into the volcano's lave dome.

On 3 November heat clouds travelled up to 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away from the eruption forcing the government to evacuate people from within the refugee camps set up to accommodate those already dislocated by the volcano. Eruptions on the afternoon of Wednesday 3 November followed a morning eruption that sent hot gas clouds down the volcano's slopes. The volcano spewed clouds of ash and gas 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) into the sky for more than an hour on Wednesday 3 November. The eruptions of that day were reported as being the largest since the eruptions commenced.

"This is the first time that the eruption has continued for more than an hour, so I decided to move the shelters to 15 km away from the summit", Surono, head of Indonesia's vulcanology agency, told Indonesia's Metro TV network on 3 November. The shelters had previously been set up 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away. Surono added that the energy from the eruption on 3 November was three times greater than that of the first eruption in the previous week.Bambang Ervan, a spokesman from the Transportation Ministry, said an official warning had been issued to all airlines to “use alternative routes for safety reasons due to the volcanic ash.” From 2 November several airlines including Garuda, AirAsia and Silkair international flights to both Yogyakarta and Solo were either suspended or re-routed due to the eruptive activity.

Casualties

On 26 October at least 18 people, including one 2-month old baby, were found dead due to burns and respiratory failure caused by hot ashes from the eruption.Thousands were evacuated within a radius of 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) around the slopes of the volcano.

By Wednesday 27 October the death toll had risen to at least 25. The death toll included an elder,Mbah Maridjan (grandfather Marijan), known as the volcano's spiritual gatekeeper who was found dead at his home approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the peak. The Yogyakarta Palace subsequently confirmed his death. The 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) exclusion zone remained in place at the volcano with evacuation and ongoing search and rescue activities continuing at the site in an attempt to locate further victims of the previous days eruptions.

Later reports on the 27 October revised the toll upward to 30 persons recorded at Yogyakarta's Dr. Sardjito Hospital with 17 hospitalized, mostly with burns, respiratory problems and other injuries. Earlier on 27 October two of the 28 bodies at the hospital had been identified. Yuniawan Nugroho, an editor with the vivanews.com news portal, was reported to have been killed while conducting reportage on the night of Tuesday 26 October, the other was later identified as Indonesian Tutur Priyanto, a 36 year man working for the Red Cross as a volunteer on the mountain. Tutur Priyanto had been retrieving and escorting residents from the slopes of the mountain. After making many trips he returned for a further ascent at 3:00PM to assist others to come off the mountain and died during one of the subsequent eruptive events. As of 1 November, 2010, the death toll from Mount Merapi's blasts had climbed to 38.

Lava Dome deformation

During the 4th week of October 2010 deformation measurements were performed by Electric Distance Measurement (EDM), utilising reflectors mounted around the summit of Mount Merapi. The measurement results Indicated a rapidly increasing rate of growth of the lava dome in the build up to the eruptive events of 25–26 October 2010.

At the end of September 2010, the peak inflation rate of the lava dome at Mount Merapi was measured by EDM at an average growth rate of 6 millimetres (0.24 in). The subsequent rate of inflation up until October 21, 2010 reached 105 millimetres (4.1 in) per day. The inflation rate then increased very sharply, reaching 420 millimetres (17 in) per day by 24 October 2010. By the 25 October the average grow rate, measured from 6 EDM points over 24-25 October had risen to 500 millimetres (20 in) per day, the top of dome having by then reached a height of 6,858.635 metres (22,502.08 ft) above sea level.

The information gathered at the site indicated that the distension of the mountain’s slopes was much more rapid this during the current event than that observed during the 2006 event.

On 26 October the head of the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, Surono, repeated his earlier statements that the greatest concern was the pressure building behind a massive lava dome that has formed near the tip of the crater. "The energy is building up. ... We hope it will release slowly," he said. "Otherwise we're looking at a potentially huge eruption, bigger than anything we've seen in years".Surono also said that said the distension of the mountain’s slopes was much more rapid this time around, indicating a higher-pressure build-up of gas and hence a much more explosive eruption and speculated that Merapi may erupt explosively, as it did in 1930, and not just eject gas as in 2006 eruptions.

# 2. Mount Rinjani

Lombok is home to one of the most impressive volcanoes in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, at 3726m high, not just because it is Indonesia's second highest volcano but for it's scenery as well. Mount Rinjani is surrounded by a spectacular cobalt blue lake. It is a popular 3 day hike stretching from Senaru to the crater rim, down to the cobalt blue crater lake and then on to Sembulan Lawang. The trek has superb ocean and mountain views and the chance to spot barking deer, macaques and civets.


# 3 Mount Bromo

Gunung Bromo (2329m) is located in Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park in Java close to Surabaya. You can ride miniature Tennggerese ponies to it's rim through the night to reach the summit in time for a magic sun rise over Java's scenic landscape.





# 4 Mount Semeru

Gunung Semeru is Java's highest volcano at 3676m. Known locally as Mahameru or great mountain. Hindus consider Mount Semeru as Indonesia's most sacred mountain, the father of Bali's Mount Agung. Legend tells the story of gods moving Semeru from the Himalayas, scattering other peaks all through Java. It is an active volcano though is still able to be climbed if you are prepared for the 3 days hike.



# 5 Mount Anak Krakatau

Gunung Krakatua or Krakatau (813m) is probably the most famous volcano in the world after it's massive explosion in 1883. 4600Km away people thought they heard loud gunfire. The explosion was heard in Sydney Australia with an estimated force of 10,000 Hiroshima bombs.

Since the explosion in 1883, which ripped apart the mountain the volcano has been growing in size every year spawning what is called now Anak Krakatua (Baby of Krakatau). It is now larger then when it exploded in 1883. In the last few years volcanic activity has been increasing and there is now a 1km zone around the island to prevent people from approaching, so no longer can you gain access to the island.


# 6 Mount Agung

Bali's most active volcano, Gunung Agung (3142m) is entwined in Balinese culture. Most temples in Bali has a shrine dedicated to Mount Agung. There is an annual festival during the 10th lunar month at the Pura Basakih ('mother temple') on the slopes of Agung. It's a relatively easy hike to the top. Most treks leave at 10pm to make it to the summit for sunrise.



# 7 Mount Kerinci

Gunung Kerinci is Sumatra's highest mountain at 3805m, located in the Kerinci Seblat National Park close to Jambi. Recent years has seen an increase in volcanic activity preventing trekking to the summit. There is a 1km exclusion zone around Mount Kerinci preventing hiking any closer though many people still climb it regardless of the warnings.








# 8 Mount Sumbing

Midway between Jogjakarta and Semarang in Java, around 125km away from each, Gunung Sumbing (3371m) is considered the husband volcano of Gunung Sundoro (3136m). It is a perfectly shaped cone which holds the remains of one of the holy men that brought Islam to Indonesia. At the end of Ramadan, Idul Fitri is celebrated and devotees trek to the top to show their respect. It is a difficult climb to the top with steep slopes and sulphuric gas escaping from vents along the route to the top. From the top there is a spectacular view looking down over clouds atop the Javanese landscape.


# 9 Mount Batur
Gunung Batur (1717m) is the female counterpart of Gunung Agung (3142m). Both located on the island of Bali. At the bottom is a crater lake 11km in diameter. There is great views to the mountain and over the lake from Penelokan. There is an easy hike down to the base of Gunung Batur where there are hot springs with believed healing properties. Recent activity has made climbing to the top of this volcano extremely dangerous.



# 10 Mount Sibayak

Mount Sibayak (2100m) over looks the town of Berastagi in North Sumatra just a 2 hour bus trip from Medan. At most times there are vents of steam seeping from the top of Sibayak. It's a fairly easy 3 hour walk to the top and stone steps to find your way down. At the bottom of Sibayak are hot springs to relax in after the climb.




Volcanoes of Indonesia

Gunung Kerinci (3805m) Jambi

Gunung Rinjani (3726m) Lombok

Gunung Semeru (3676m) Java

Gunung Sumbing (3371m) Java

Gunung Dempo (3159m) Lampung

Gunung Agung (3142m) Bali

Gunung Sundoro (3136m) Java

Gunung Ciremay (3078m) Cirebon

Gunung Pangrango (3019m) Bogor

Gunung Merapi (2968m) Yogyakarta

Gunung Gede (2958m) Bogor

Gunung Talakmau (2919m) Bukittinggi

Gunung Marapi (2891m) Bukittinggi

Gunung Geureudong (2885m) Sumatra

Gunung Singgalang (2880m) Bukittinggi

Gunung Patah (2817m) Sumatra

Gunung Peuet Sague (2801m) Sumatra

Gunung Tambora (2722m) Sumbawa

Gunung Talang (2597m) Sumatra

Gunung Sumbing (2507m) Sumatra

Gunung Bukit Daun (2467m) Sumatra

Gunung Tandikat (2438m) Sumatra

Gunung Sinabung (2400m) Berastagi

Gunung Bromo (2329m) Surabaya

Gunung Kembar (2245m) Sumatra

Gunung Salak (2211m). Bogor

Gunung Kunyit (2151m) Sumatra

Gunung Sorikmarapi (2145m) Sumatra

Gunung Sibayak (2100m) Berastagi

Bukit Lamah Balai (2055m) Sumatra

Gunung Hutapanjang (2021m) Sumatra

Gunung Belirang-Beriti (1958m) Sumatra

Gunung Kaba (1952m) Sumatra

Gunung Besar (1899m) Sumatra

Gunung Lubukraya (1862m) Sumatra

Gunung Soputan (1825m) Sulawesi

Gunung Sibualbuali (1819m) Sumatra

Gunung Seulawah Agam (1810m) Sumatra

Gunung Batur (1717m) Bali

Gunung Lokon-Empung (1580m) Sulawesi

Gunung Imun (1505m) Sumatra

Gunung Dua Saudara (1351m) Sulawesi

Gunung Awu (1320m) Sulawesi

Gunung Mahawu (1311m) Sulawesi

Gunung Rajabasa (1281m) Lampung

Gunung Tongkoko (1149m) Sulawesi

Gunung Anak Krakatau (813m) Lampung

Gunung Weh (617m) Pulau Weh

Gunung Colo (508) Sulawesi

Gunung Banua Wuhu Sulawesi

Gunung Ruang Sulawesi

Gunung Karangetang Sulawesi