Mahawu

Stratovolcano in Indonesia

Last Eruption: 1977

Key Facts

Elevation

1,299 m (4,262 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

1.352°, 124.865°

Region

Sangihe Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The elongated Mahawu volcano immediately east of Lokon-Empung volcano is the northernmost of a series of young volcanoes along a SSW-NNE line near the margin of the Quaternary Tondano caldera. Mahawu is capped by a 180-m-wide, 140-m-deep crater that sometimes contains a small crater lake, and has two pyroclastic cones on its N flank. Historical activity has been restricted to occasional small explosive eruptions recorded since 1789.

In 1994 fumaroles, mudpots, and small geysers were observed along the shores of a greenish-colored crater lake.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

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

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	49 years ago	Recent	Recently 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 Western Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Western Pacific 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: 266110
•Evidence: Eruption Observed
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Mahawu volcano, located immediately to the east of Lokon-Empung volcano, contains a 450-m-wide, 140-m-deep summit crater. Active fumaroles are seen in this 1991 photo of the north end of the crater, which sometimes contains a crater lake. Small-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded at 1331-m-high Mahawu volcano since the 18th century.

Photo by Ruska Hadian, 1991 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).