Merbabu
Stratovolcano in Indonesia
Key Facts
Elevation
3,118 m (10,230 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
-7.454°, 110.440°
Region
Sunda Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Gunung Merbabu is a massive forested volcano north of Merapi in central Java. Three prominent radial valleys extend from the summit toward the NW, NNE, and ESE. The most recent magmatic eruptions originated from a NNW-SSE fissure system that cut across the summit and fed the large-volume Kopeng and Kajor lava flows on the N and S flanks, respectively.
Moderate explosive eruptions occurred from the summit crater in 1560 and 1797 CE.
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 | 229 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 263240
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Gunung Merbabu is seen here from the south, near the summit of Merapi. It has prominent radial valleys that extend from the summit of Merbabu towards the NW, NE, and SE. Eruptions have occurred during historical time from Merbabu from the summit crater and from a NNW-SSE fissure system that opened across the summit and fed flank lava flows.
Photo by Lee Siebert, 1995 (Smithsonian Institution).
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.