Karangetang Volcano

Updated: Mar 28, 2025 22:55 GMT - refresh

Stratovolcano

Siau Island, Sangihe Islands, Indonesia, 2.78°N / 125.4°E

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Summit height: 1784 m (5,853 ft)

Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)

Last update: 15 Jan 2025 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

Karangetang volcano on Api Siau Island

Karangetang (Api Siau) volcano is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. Located on the remote Api Siau Island north of N Sulawesi, it is notorious for building lava domes and producing dangerous pyroclastic flows.

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Typical eruption style: Explosive. Formation of lava domes and pyroclastic flows.
Karangetang volcano eruptions: 1675, 1712, 1825, 1864, 1883, 1886, 1887, 1892, 1899, 1900, 1905, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1926, 1930, 1930, 1935, 1940, 1940, 1941, 1947, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1961, 1961, 1962-62, 1965-67, 1967, 1970-71, 1972-76, 1976-77, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983-88, 1989, 1991-93, 1995, 1996-97, 1998, 1999-2003, 2004-2005. 2008-9, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018-ongoing

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Background

Karangetang (or Api Siau) volcano lies at the northern end of the island of Siau, north of Sulawesi. The 1784-m-high stratovolcano contains five summit craters along a N-S line. Karangetang is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, with more than 40 eruptions recorded since 1675 and many additional small eruptions that were not documented.

Twentieth-century eruptions have included frequent explosive activity sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and lahars. Lava dome growth has occurred in the summit craters; collapse of lava flow fronts has also produced pyroclastic flows.
5 eruptions in the 20th century (1940, 1972, 1976, 1983 and 1991) caused fatalities.
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Source: GVP, Smithsonian Institution

Karangetang Volcano Photos

Karangetang side lit by the setting moon (Photo: Thomas Spinner)

The active northern crater of Karangetang in Feb 2019. (Photo: Thomas Spinner)

Night-time view of Karangetang with Venus. (Photo: Thomas Spinner)

Steam plumes from the north (l) and south (r) craters of Karangetang volcano. (Photo: Thomas Spinner)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Karangetang volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Karangetang has had at least 60 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 59 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Karangetang volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Karangetang volcano since around 2000. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Karangetang can be found on the news page of Karangetang volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2023 Feb 8 - Sep 5	Kawah Utama, Main Crater, South Crater Historical obs./docs.	?
?? 2022 Sep 1 ±15 d. - Oct 15 ±15 d.	Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs.	?
2021 Oct 25 - 2022 Jan 10 ?	Uncertain which summit crater Historical obs./docs.	?
2018 Nov 25 - 2021 or later	Kawah Dua (North Crater, Second Crater) Historical obs./docs.	2
2018 Jul 4	?Southern Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2018 Feb 2	?North Summit Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
?? 2017 May 10	Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs.	?
2014 Jun 8 - 2016 Mar 15	Main and second craters Historical obs./docs.	2
2015 May 7 (eruption 0 AD)	Historical obs./docs.	0		light	Info
2015 May 7: An increase in activity occurred during the past days, resulting in dangerous pyroclastic flows that swept 3 km down the steep southern slope of the volcano. The cause was elevated strombolian activity combined with effusion of a viscous flow from the summit crater, which resulted in partial collapses of the lava flow. People living in villages near the volcano were evacuated and it seems no fatalities occurred, although houses in the village of Kora Kora were destroyed by the pyroclastic flow on 7 May. Significant ash fall occurred on the northern flank of the volcano. (reference #11209) Cited references #11209 volcanodiscovery.com (2015): Karangetang volcano (Siau Island, Indonesia): eruption and pyroclastic flow on 7 May Mon, 11 May 10:03 Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2014 Feb 9	Historical obs./docs.	2
2012 May 14 - 2013 Sep 5	Crater II Historical obs./docs.	2
2011 Mar 11 - Aug 13	Crater I (S crater) Historical obs./docs.	2
2011 Mar 18 (eruption 2011 Mar 11 - Aug 13)	Historical obs./docs.	0		light	Info
2011 Mar 18: Weekly Report 16 March-22 March 2011: On 18 March lava flows traveled 1.5 km and collapses from the lava flow fronts generated avalanches that moved another 500 m. Avalanches from the crater traveled 3.8 km down the flanks. Multiple pyroclastic flows about 1.5 km long destroyed a bridge, damaged a house, and trapped 31 people between the flow paths who were later evacuated. Later that day pyroclastic flows traveled 4 km, reaching the shore. The Alert Level was raised to 4. On 20 March lava flows traveled 1.8 km and avalanches from the lava flow fronts again went 500 m. Incandescent material rolled 1.5 km down the flanks and pyroclastic flows traveled 2.3 km from the crater. According to news articles, 600-1,200 people were evacuated from villages on the W flank. (reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2010 Aug 6 - Dec 16 ±15 d.	Crater I (S crater) Historical obs./docs.	3?
2010 Aug 6 (eruption 2010 Aug 6 - Dec 16 ±15 d.)	Historical obs./docs.	3	4		Info
2010 Aug 6: Eruptive Characteristics: Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption, Pyroclastic flow(s), Lava flow(s), Fatalities, Damage (land, property, etc.), Evacuation. (reference #2432) Aug 7, 2010, 11:47 GMT. Jakarta - Five people were injured and four others reported missing after a volcano eruption on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, the National Disaster Management Agency said Saturday. (reference #9468) Mar 12, 2011. One of the most active Indonesian volcanoes erupted on Friday. The authorities evicted the population from the surroundings of the Mount Karangetang. Until now, it is unknown of the eruption caused significant damages. The volcano erupted the last time in august [2010], and four people lost their lives at that time. This time the eruption took place a few hours after the Japan earthquake. (reference #9469) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #9468 monstersandcritics.com (2010): Aug 7, 2010, 11:47 GMT, Four missing, five injured in Indonesia volcano eruption. Retrieved from link #9469 XIANET News (2011): Mar 12 2011, The Japan Earthquake caused volcanic eruptions in Japan, Indonesia and Russia. Retrieved from link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2008 Nov 29 ? - 2010 Mar 24 ?	Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 2008 Mar 12	Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs.	1?
2006 Jul 3 - 2007 Oct 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	1
2004 Apr 2 ? - 2005 Aug 5 ?	Historical obs./docs.	2
1999 Mar 16 ±15 d. - 2003 Oct 28	Historical obs./docs.	3?
2002 Jan 3 (eruption 1999 Mar 16 ±15 d. - 2003 Oct 28)	Historical obs./docs.	3		light	Info
2002 Jan 3: Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI): 3?. Eruptive Characteristics: Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption, Pyroclastic flow(s), Lava flow(s), Lava dome extrusion, Damage (land, property, etc.), Mudflow(s) (lahars). Weekly Report 2-8 January 2002: During 30 December-6 January multiphase earthquakes continued to be recorded at Karangetang, reflecting the continued growth of the 2001 lava dome. Heavy rain throughout the report period generated a cold 40,000-cubic-meter lahar on 3 January around 1200 that traveled down the Kahetang River. The lahar destroyed two buildings and damaged several homes in Tarurane and Bebali villages. The volcano remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4). (above from reference #2432) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Karangetang Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Karangetang volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Karangetang occurred in 2023.

+How often does Karangetang volcano erupt?

Since 1675 AD, Karangetang volcano has had at least 59 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 5.9 years.
Many eruptions of Karangetang have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 80 out of 350 years until now. In other words, Karangetang has been active at least one in 4.4 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Karangetang is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Karangetang volcano at present?

Karangetang volcano is extremely active: Since 1900, it has been frequently active, showing eruptive activity during 71 years out of 126 as of now. The last eruption was in 2023 and ended 2 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Karangetang volcano?

The largest eruption of Karangetang volcano in historic times occurred in 2010. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

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See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

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Karangetang Volcano Tours

Sulawesi/Halmahera (Indonesia)

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17-day volcano trekking tour to the Molucca Sea: N-Sulawesi, Karangetang and Halmahera

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17 days / 16 nights - Moderate
Price 3570 €

12-29 May 2025

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Karangetang Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).