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Batur

Caldera in Indonesia

Last Eruption: 2000

Key Facts

Elevation

1,711 m (5,614 ft)

Type

Caldera

Location

-8.240°, 115.377°

Region

Sunda Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The historically active Batur is located at the center of two concentric calderas NW of Agung volcano. The outer 10 x 13. 5 km caldera was formed during eruption of the Bali (or Ubud) Ignimbrite about 29,300 years ago and now contains a caldera lake on its SE side, opposite the Gunung Abang cone, the topographic high of the complex.

The inner 6. 4 x 9. 4 km caldera was formed about 20,150 years ago during eruption of the Gunungkawi Ignimbrite.

The SE wall of the inner caldera lies beneath Lake Batur; Batur cone has been constructed within the inner caldera to a height above the outer caldera rim. The Batur stratovolcano has produced vents over much of the inner caldera, but a NE-SW fissure system has localized the Batur I, II, and III craters along the summit ridge. Recorded eruptions have been characterized by mild-to-moderate explosive activity sometimes accompanied by lava emission.

Basaltic lava flows from both summit and flank vents have reached the caldera floor and the shores of Lake Batur in historical time.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows and surges
  • Large explosive eruptions (VEI 4+)
  • Ash fall and tephra deposits
  • Lahars and debris flows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Silica Content
Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Holocene
Evidence
Eruption Observed

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity26 years agoRecentRecently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Watch
Dormant but monitored. Capable of renewed activity.

Nearby Volcanoes in Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity
The Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

  • Smithsonian ID: 264010
  • Evidence: Eruption Observed
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

The Batur cone on the island of Bali was constructed as a result of eruptions along a NE-SW-trending line of vents. It is located within a 7.5-km-wide inner caldera with its SE margin below a lake that fills part of the SE floor of an outer 10 x 13 km caldera. Historical lava flows have formed much of the far lake shore in this view.

Photo by Sumarna Hamidi, 1973 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).

Basic Information

This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.