Galunggung
Stratovolcano in Indonesia
Key Facts
Elevation
2,168 m (7,113 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
-7.250°, 108.058°
Region
Sunda Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
The forested slopes of Galunggung in western Java SE of Bandung are cut by a 2-km-wide collapse scarp open towards the ESE. The "Ten Thousand Hills of Tasikmalaya" dotting the plain below the volcano are debris-avalanche hummocks from the collapse about 4,200 years ago. An eruption in 1822 produced pyroclastic flows and lahars that killed over 4,000 people.
A series of major explosive eruptions starting in April 1982 destroyed a number of villages, killed as many as 30 people, and forced over 60,000 to evacuate. Pyroclastic flows and heavy widespread ash caused significant damage. A large passenger jet that encountered the ash plume on 24 June lost power to all four engines but managed to land safely in Jakarta.
The 1982 activity destroyed a 1918 dome and formed the Warirang crater, almost as wide as the valley, about 2 km down from the summit.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 42 years ago | Recent | Recently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 263140
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
The low, forested volcano of Galunggung in western Java has a 2 x 6 km collapse scarp formed by a large flank collapse that created the "Ten Thousand Hills of Tasikmalaya" at the foot of the volcano. Historical eruptions have been infrequent but have caused extensive devastation. This view shows the low Gunung Jadi cone in front of the headwall scarp and lahar channels on the Cikunir River from the 1982-1983 eruption.
Photo by Ruska Hadian, 1983 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.