FAQ







Kerinci

Google Earth Placemark
  • Indonesia
  • Sumatra
  • Stratovolcano
  • 2009
  • Country
  • Subregion Name
  • Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 3800 m
    12464 ft
  • -1.697°
  • 101.264°
  • Elevation
  •  
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

22 April-28 April 2009

CVGHM reported that diffuse white plumes from Kerinci typically rise about 300 m above the crater. On 9 September 2007 the Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) because "black smoke" plumes rose 800 m above the crater. The height of the plumes (described as "smoke") declined, but remained variable, so the Alert Level continued at 2. On 24 March 2008, ash-and-gas plumes rose to 4.3 km (14,100 ft) a.s.l. In early April 2009, increased seismicity was accompanied by ash plumes that rose as high as 600 m above the crater. During 1-20 April, light and dark plumes rose to a maximum of 500 m above the crater. On 19 April, ashfall was reported at a nearby observation post. During 19-20 April, noises indicative of an eruption were heard at the observation post. The Alert Status remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and visitors were advised not to enter an area within 1 km of the summit.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)



 Available Weekly Reports




2009: April |
2008: February | March | May |
2007: September |
2004: June | July | August | September |
2002: January | August |
2001: August | September | November | December |

22 April 2009              Back to Top

CVGHM reported that diffuse white plumes from Kerinci typically rise about 300 m above the crater. On 9 September 2007 the Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) because "black smoke" plumes rose 800 m above the crater. The height of the plumes (described as "smoke") declined, but remained variable, so the Alert Level continued at 2. On 24 March 2008, ash-and-gas plumes rose to 4.3 km (14,100 ft) a.s.l. In early April 2009, increased seismicity was accompanied by ash plumes that rose as high as 600 m above the crater. During 1-20 April, light and dark plumes rose to a maximum of 500 m above the crater. On 19 April, ashfall was reported at a nearby observation post. During 19-20 April, noises indicative of an eruption were heard at the observation post. The Alert Status remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and visitors were advised not to enter an area within 1 km of the summit.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

7 May 2008              Back to Top

CVGHM reported that seismic and surface activity from Kerinci increased during 10-11 May. White plumes rose to altitudes of 4.3-4.5 km (14,100-14,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. On 11 May, a gray plume was possibly spotted. The Alert Status remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and visitors were advised not to enter an area within 1 km of the summit.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

26 March 2008              Back to Top

CVGHM reported that seismicity from Kerinci increased during 17-24 March. On 24 March, an ash-and-gas plume rose to an altitude of 4.3 (14,100 ft) a.s.l. The Alert Status remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and visitors were advised not to enter an area within 1 km of the summit.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

20 February 2008              Back to Top

CVGHM reported that white plumes from Kerinci rose to altitudes of 4.1-4.3 km (13,500-14,100 ft) a.s.l. during 14-18 February. The Alert Status remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and visitors were advised not to enter an area within 1 km of the summit.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

5 September 2007              Back to Top

CVGHM reported that the Alert Status of Kerinci was raised on 9 September from 1 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

22 September 2004              Back to Top

A pilot reported to the Darwin VAAC that an ash cloud emitted from Kerinci was visible on 27 September at 0813 drifting W at a height of ~6 km a.s.l. Ash was not visible on satellite imagery.

Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

4 August 2004              Back to Top

Increased volcanic activity at Kerinci during late July led DVGHM to raise the Alert Level to 2 from 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 6 August.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) , ABC News - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

28 July 2004              Back to Top

During 24-31 July, volcanic and seismic activity increased at Kerinci. An ash plume rose 100-600 m above the crater rim and drifted W. Ash was deposited up to 1 cm thick and as far away as 3 km from the crater. There was an increase in volcanic earthquakes during the report week in comparison to the previous week. Visitors were advised not to climb to the volcano's peak until activity decreased.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

16 June 2004              Back to Top

According to the Darwin VAAC, on 22 June an ash plume from Kerinci was observed drifting W at a height of ~3.8 km a.s.l. No ash was visible on satellite imagery.

Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

21 August 2002              Back to Top

During 5-18 August, seismicity at Kerinci was dominated by small explosion earthquakes. According to the Darwin VAAC, on 27 August at 1000 an ash plume was observed at a height of ~3.5 km a.s.l. drifting to the NW. The cloud was not visible on satellite imagery.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) , Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

7 August 2002              Back to Top

The Darwin VAAC reported that on 13 August around 0925 an ash plume from Kerinci rose to ~7.3 km a.s.l. Ash was not visible on satellite imagery.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

30 January 2002              Back to Top

During 21-27 January, seismicity at Kerinci seemed to decrease in comparison to the previous week. Seismicity was dominated by 391 small explosions. Minor explosions on 26 January produced plumes 100-600 m above the summit. The volcano remained at Alert Level 2.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

2 January 2002              Back to Top

Seismicity decreased during 30 December-6 January at Kerinci, with 341 small explosions occurring. In addition, plumes only reached 50-100 m above the summit in comparison to 100-800 m the previous week. The volcano remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

26 December 2001              Back to Top

Three explosions occurred at Kerinci during 19 and 25 December that produced predominately E-drifting plumes 100-800 m above the volcano. The volcano remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

28 November 2001              Back to Top

During 26 November- 2 December seismicity was dominated by 664 small explosion earthquakes. White, thick plumes rose 50-300 m above the volcano, which remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

19 September 2001              Back to Top

The number of small explosion earthquakes at Kerinci increased to 2,281 during 10-16 September from 1,128 the previous week. Steam plumes rose to 600 m above the volcano, which remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4)

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

12 September 2001              Back to Top

During 3-9 September activity at Kerinci was dominated by 1,128 small explosion earthquakes. On 9 September during 0800-1200 small explosions produced ash plumes that rose to 0.5 km above the volcano. Kerinci remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

29 August 2001              Back to Top

During 13-26 August eruptive activity ceased and seismic activity was dominated by small explosion earthquakes (2,252). The volcano remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

22 August 2001              Back to Top

On 9 August a small explosion at Kerinci produced an ash cloud that rose 700 m above the summit. Workers in rice fields around the volcano heard a booming sound and VSI personnel saw the dark brown ash cloud drift to the NNE. During 30 July-12 August seismographs recorded 990 small explosion events. The volcano was at Alert Level 2.

Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)



Summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

Start Date Stop Date Eruption Certainty VEI Evidence Activity Area or Unit
2009 Apr 1 (?) 2009 Jun 19 (?) Confirmed 1 Historical
2008 Mar 24 Unknown Confirmed 1 Historical
2007 Sep 9 2007 Sep 9 Confirmed 1 Historical
2004 Jun 22 (?) 2004 Oct 24 (?) Confirmed 1 Historical
2001 May 12 2002 Aug 27 (?) Confirmed 2 Historical
1999 Mar (in or before) 1999 Sep (in or after) Confirmed 2 Historical
1998 Nov 3 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1998 Jul 4 1998 Jul 4 Confirmed 2 Historical
1996 Aug 1996 Oct (?) Confirmed 1 Historical
1990 Dec 31 ± 365 days Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
[ 1971 Jun ] [ 1971 Jun ] Uncertain 1  
1969 1970 Confirmed 2 Historical
1968 Feb 3 1968 Mar 18 Confirmed 2 Historical
1967 Nov 2 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1966 Jun 9 1966 Jun 30 (in or after) Confirmed 2 Historical
1964 Jul 8 1964 Jul 8 (?) Confirmed 2 Historical
1963 Jul Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1960 Jul Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1952 Jan 1952 Jun Confirmed 2 Historical
1938 Jan 19 1938 Mar 18 Confirmed 2 Historical
1937 Sep 8 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1936 Aug 30 1936 Aug 30 Confirmed 2 Historical
1936 Apr 29 1936 Apr 29 Confirmed 2 Historical
1923 Sep 1923 Sep Confirmed 1 Historical
1921 May 1921 Jun Confirmed 2 Historical
1908 Oct 1909 Confirmed 2 Historical
1887 Mar 23 1887 Mar 30 Confirmed 2 Historical
1878 Dec 11 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1874 (?) Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1842 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical
1838 Unknown Confirmed 2 Historical

The 3800-m-high Gunung Kerinci in central Sumatra forms Indonesia's highest volcano and is one of the most active in Sumatra. Kerinci is capped by an unvegetated young summit cone that was constructed NE of an older crater remnant. The volcano contains a deep 600-m-wide summit crater often partially filled by a small crater lake that lies on the NE crater floor, opposite the SW-rim summit of Kerinci. The massive 13 x 25 km wide volcano towers 2400-3300 m above surrounding plains and is elongated in a N-S direction. The frequently active Gunung Kerinci has been the source of numerous moderate explosive eruptions since its first recorded eruption in 1838.