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.

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

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)

Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Katsui Y (ed), 1971. List of the World Active Volcanoes. {Volc Soc Japan draft ms}, (limited circulation), 160 p

Kusumadinata K, 1979. {Data Dasar Gunungapi Indonesia}. Bandung: Volc Surv Indonesia, 820 p

Neumann van Padang M, 1951. Indonesia. {Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields}, Rome: IAVCEI, 1: 1-271

Rosidi H M D, Tjokrosapoetro S, Pendowo B, 1976. Geologic map of the Painan and northeastern part of the Muarasiberut quadrangles, Sumatra. {Geol Surv Indonesia}, 1:250,000 scale

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.