On 9 June, CVGHM reported that the Alert Level for Kelut was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-4). No changes had been seen; occasional diffuse white plumes rose 50-150 above the crater. CVGHM recommended that people not approach the lava dome due to instability of the area and the presence of potentially high temperatures and poisonous gases.

3 June 2009            Back to Top

On 9 June, CVGHM reported that the Alert Level for Kelut was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-4). No changes had been seen; occasional diffuse white plumes rose 50-150 above the crater. CVGHM recommended that people not approach the lava dome due to instability of the area and the presence of potentially high temperatures and poisonous gases.

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

28 November 2007            Back to Top

CVGHM reported that on 29 November, the Alert level for Kelut was lowered from 3 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4), due to a decrease in seismicity and a lack of deformation. Observations of video footage from a camera on 25 November revealed that the lava dome was still active. Visitors and tourists were advised not to go within a 1.5-km radius of the crater lake.

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

7 November 2007            Back to Top

CVGHM reported that on 6 November, temperatures at the surface of Kelut's crater lake measured 75 degrees Celsius and the newly exposed lava dome surface measured 150-210 degrees Celsius. Plumes inhibited clear views of the lava dome. CVGHM lowered the Alert Status of Kelut on 8 November from 4 to 3 (on a scale of 1-4), due to a decrease in seismicity and stability indicated by deformation-monitoring instruments. CVGHM recommended that evacuees could return to their homes, but activity within a 3-km radius was restricted.

According on a news article, a volcanologist reported that the lava dome was 250 m in diameter and 120 m above the crater lake surface. On 11 November, a plume rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and ashfall was reported in several areas.

Sources: Agence France-Presse (AFP) , Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

31 October 2007            Back to Top

CVGHM reported that a series of earthquakes from Kelut during 24-31 October were dominated by shallow events and tremor. Seismicity intensified during 2-3 November, and then decreased on 4 November. On 2 November the temperature of the crater lake was 50 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature recorded. On 4 November, white plumes rose to an altitude of 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N. Observations of video footage from a closed-circuit television camera revealed that a black mass protruded from the lake and was likely the cause of the plumes. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4).

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

17 October 2007            Back to Top

CVGHM reported that the Alert Level for Kelut remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4) during 17-23 October. According to news articles, several thousand evacuated people remained in shelters.

Sources: Agence France-Presse (AFP) , Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

10 October 2007            Back to Top

CVGHM reported that the Alert Status of Kelut was raised on 16 October from 3 to 4 (on a scale of 1-4). During 15-28 September, gas discharge from the crater lake increased and spread in a radius of 5 m. Inflation around the summit occurred during 13-16 October. On 16 October, the temperature in the crater lake increased to 37.8 degrees C.

In conjunction with the elevated Alert Status, CVGHM recommended to the local authorities that villagers within a 10 km radius should evacuate. According to a news article, about 50,000 people evacuated on 16 October. On 17 October, thousands of people returned to their homes to tend to crops and animals, and to get food.

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

3 October 2007            Back to Top

According to news articles, carbon dioxide and other gases emitted from Kelut reached 7 times normal levels. Increased seismicity and gas emissions prompted people from villages near the summit to self-evacuate. Villagers and tourists were advised not go within a 5 km radius of the active crater.

Sources: Reuters

26 September 2007            Back to Top

CVGHM reported that the Alert Status of Kelut was raised on 29 September from 2 to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) based on observations, increased seismic activity, deformation measurements, and changes of crater lake water chemistry and temperature. Villagers and tourists were advised not go within a 5 km radius of the active crater.

Sources: Agence France-Presse (AFP) , Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

12 September 2007            Back to Top

CVGHM reported that the Alert Status of Kelut was raised on 11 September from 1 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). According to a news report, the water in the crater lake increased in temperature and changed color from the usual green to yellow. Villagers and tourists were advised not go within a 5 km radius of the active crater.

Sources: Agence France-Presse (AFP) , Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

17 May 2006            Back to Top

Based on a pilot report, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 18 May an ash plume from Kelut reached a height of 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. The report was not verified by ground observations. [Correction: VAAC report did not mention ash in the plume]

Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

11 April 2001            Back to Top

VSI reported that there were no major changes in volcanic activity at Kelut during 2-9 April. The temperature of the water in the crater lake decreased slightly. On 2 April the lake was at 48.5°C and on 9 April it was at 48°C. The volcano remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

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

21 February 2001            Back to Top

In the wake of earlier concern about renewed volcanic activity at Kelut, the VSI reported that during 12-17 February the temperature of Kelut's crater lake decreased and its pH increased. The temperature decreased to 47.5°C from a range of 50.1 °C to 51 °C, measured during 29 January to 7 February. The pH of the water increased to 5.3 from 5, measured on 7 February. The volcano remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

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

7 February 2001            Back to Top

VSI scientists found that the temperature of Kelut's crater lake had increased and its pH dropped as follows. During 29 January to 7 February the lake's temperature ranged from 50.1 °C to 51 °C, compared with 47.5 °C on 18 January and 38.5 °C on 8 January. On 7 February the pH of the water was 5, compared with measurements of 6.3 in January 2001 and 6.9 in November 2000. The volcano remained at Alert Level 2 (ranging from 1-4).

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

31 January 2001            Back to Top

The VSI reported that activity remained normal during 23-29 January. There were no major changes since the previous week when the Alert Level was raised from level 1 to 2 on 19 January after several monitored parameters changed at the volcano. Kelut remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

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

17 January 2001            Back to Top

On 19 January the VSI raised the Alert Level at Kelut from 1 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). The temperature of the crater lake increased, the volcano inflated 5.5-6 mm, and a 5 cm increase in crater lake water level took place on 21 January.

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.

Alzwar M, 1985. Gunung Kelut. {Bull Volc Surv Indonesia}, 108: 1-60 (in Indonesian)

Bourdier J-L, Pratomo I, Thouret J-C, Boudon G, Vincent P M, 1997. Observations, stratigraphy and eruptive processes of the 1990 eruption of Kelut volcano, Indonesia. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 79: 181-203

Lesage P, Surono, 1995. Seismic precursors of the February 10, 1990 eruption of Kelut volcano, Java. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 65: 135-146

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

Stehn C E, 1929b. Keloet. {4th Pacific Sci Cong Java}, Excur 2A, p 3-23

Sudradjat A, 1977. . (pers. comm.)

Taverne N J M, 1926. Vulkanstudien op Java. {Vulk Meded}, 7: 1-132

Thouret J-C, Abdurachman K E, Bourdier J-L, Bronto S, 1998. Origin, characteristics, and behavior of lahars following the 1990 eruption of Kelud volcano, eastern Java (Indonesia). {Bull Volc}, 59: 460-480

Van Bergen M J, Bernard A, Sumarti S, Sriwana T, Sitorus K, 2000. Crater lakes of Java: Dieng, Kelud, Ijen. {IAVCEI General Assembly, Bali 2000 Excursion Guide}, 42 p

Wirakusumah A D, 1991. Some studies of volcanology, petrology and structure of Mt. Kelut, East Java, Indonesia. {Unpublished PhD thesis}, Victoria Univ of Wellington, 460 p

Zaennudin A, Dana I N, Wahyudin D, 1992. Geologic map of Kelut volcano, East Java. {Volc Surv Indonesia}, 1:50,000 geol map

The relatively inconspicuous, 1731-m-high Kelut stratovolcano contains a summit crater lake that has been the source of some of Indonesia's most deadly eruptions. A cluster of summit lava domes cut by numerous craters has given the summit a very irregular profile. Satellitic cones and lava domes are also located low on the eastern, western, and SSW flanks. Eruptive activity has in general migrated in a clockwise direction around the summit vent complex. More than 30 eruptions have been recorded from Gunung Kelut since 1000 AD. The ejection of water from the crater lake during Kelut's typically short, but violent eruptions has created pyroclastic flows and lahars that have caused widespread fatalities and destruction. After more than 5000 persons were killed during an eruption in 1919, an ambitious engineering project sought to drain the crater lake. This initial effort lowered the lake by more than 50 m, but the 1951 eruption deepened the crater by 70 m, leaving 50 million cubic meters of water after repair of the damaged drainage tunnels. After more than 200 deaths in the 1966 eruption, a new deeper tunnel was constructed, and the lake's volume before the 1990 eruption was only about 1 million cubic meters.