🌋VolcanoAtlas

Raung

Java's Towering Eastern Sentinel

Elevation

3,260 m

Last Eruption

2025

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

Indonesia

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskHigh
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity1 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

Related Volcanoes

All Indonesia Volcanoes
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East Java, Sunda Volcanic Arc
Regional volcanoes

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Interesting Facts

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A prehistoric collapse of Gunung Gadung on Raung's western flank produced a debris avalanche that traveled 79 km — nearly reaching the Indian Ocean — one of the longest volcanic debris avalanches documented in Indonesia.

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Raung's 1593 eruption was rated VEI 5, placing it among the most powerful eruptions in Java's history and comparable to the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption.

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The 2-km-wide summit caldera, with its steep, unvegetated walls, is one of the most visually dramatic volcanic features in the Indonesian archipelago.

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Raung has erupted 76 times in approximately 440 years of historical records — an average of one eruption every 5-6 years.

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The volcano lies just 100 km from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, and its eruptions frequently disrupt flights to one of Southeast Asia's busiest tourist destinations.

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At 3,260 m, Raung is the second-tallest active volcano in Java, surpassed only by Semeru at 3,676 m.

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The fertile volcanic soils on Raung's slopes support arabica coffee plantations that produce 'Java Raung' — a specialty coffee recognized by international enthusiasts.

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Raung erupted 5 times between 2020 and 2025, making it one of the most frequently active volcanoes in Indonesia during this period.

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The volcano contains multiple eruptive centers aligned along a NE-SW trend, including the satellite stratovolcanoes Gunung Suket and Gunung Gadung.

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Raung and the adjacent Ijen caldera complex form one of the most volcanically concentrated landscapes in Java, drawing increasing numbers of international tourists.

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Climbing Raung requires a demanding 2-3 day trek through dense tropical forest to reach the barren caldera rim at over 3,200 m.

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Approximately 500,000 people live within 30 km of Raung's summit, primarily in agricultural communities on its fertile lower slopes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raung still active?
Yes, Raung is one of Java's most active volcanoes. It erupted most recently on March 13, 2025, and has produced eruptions in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025. The volcano has 76 recorded eruptions over approximately 440 years, averaging one eruption every 5-6 years. Indonesia's CVGHM maintains monitoring of the volcano, and alert levels fluctuate between Advisory and Watch depending on current activity. Raung is considered a persistently active volcano with no indication of diminishing activity.
How tall is Raung?
Raung's summit reaches 3,260 m (10,696 ft) above sea level, making it the second-tallest active volcano in Java after Semeru at 3,676 m. The summit is crowned by a steep-walled caldera approximately 2 km wide. The total volcanic edifice extends from sea level to the summit, and when the height of the lower submarine foundations is included, the total structure is even more impressive. The upper slopes above approximately 2,500 m are largely barren and unvegetated, while dense tropical forest covers the lower flanks.
Can you climb Raung volcano?
Yes, but Raung is one of Java's most challenging volcano treks, requiring 2-3 days for the round trip with camping on the mountain. Routes start from Kalibaru or Sumber Waringin on the southern flanks. The trail passes through dense tropical forest before reaching the barren upper slopes and the spectacular caldera rim. Local guides are strongly recommended as the route is poorly marked. Summit access is closed during periods of elevated volcanic activity, which has been frequent in recent years. Check CVGHM alert levels before attempting the climb.
Does Raung affect flights to Bali?
Yes, Raung's eruptions regularly disrupt flights at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, which lies approximately 100 km to the east. Prevailing wind patterns frequently carry volcanic ash from Raung toward Bali. The 2014-2015 eruption caused repeated temporary airport closures, affecting millions of passengers at one of Southeast Asia's busiest tourist gateways. Even moderate VEI 1-2 eruptions can produce ash plumes sufficient to trigger flight cancellations. Aviation authorities use satellite ash tracking and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers to manage the risk.
What was Raung's biggest eruption?
Raung's largest known eruption occurred in 1593 and was rated VEI 5 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. A VEI 5 eruption involves the ejection of more than 1 cubic kilometer of material and produces eruption columns potentially reaching 25+ km into the atmosphere. This event was among the largest eruptions in Java's recorded history. Two additional large eruptions at VEI 4 occurred in 1638 and 1817. The 1593 VEI 5 event is the benchmark for worst-case hazard planning at the volcano.
What is the debris avalanche at Raung?
A prehistoric collapse of Gunung Gadung, a satellite stratovolcano on Raung's western flank, produced one of the longest volcanic debris avalanches documented in Indonesia. The collapsed material traveled approximately 79 km westward, nearly reaching the Indian Ocean coast. The avalanche deposit covers hundreds of square kilometers and is recognizable in the landscape as a vast field of hummocky terrain. This event predates historical records but demonstrates the extreme catastrophic potential of sector collapse at large stratovolcanoes. A similar event today would be devastating for communities across eastern Java.
How does Raung compare to Merapi?
Raung and Merapi are both major active stratovolcanoes in Java, Indonesia, but they differ significantly. Raung is taller (3,260 m vs 2,968 m) and has produced a larger maximum eruption (VEI 5 vs VEI 4). Merapi is generally considered more dangerous because it is surrounded by a much denser population — the city of Yogyakarta (population ~3.7 million metro) lies just 25 km south. Merapi's eruptions also tend to produce more pyroclastic flows due to dome collapse. Both volcanoes erupt frequently: Raung averages one eruption every 5-6 years, while Merapi averages approximately one every 4-5 years.
What coffee comes from Raung?
The fertile volcanic soils on Raung's slopes, particularly on the southern and eastern flanks in the Banyuwangi and Jember regencies, support arabica coffee plantations that produce specialty coffee sometimes marketed as 'Java Raung' or included in the broader 'Java' coffee origin category. The volcanic soil is rich in minerals that contribute to the coffee's distinctive flavor profile. Coffee cultivation extends up to approximately 1,500 m on the volcano's flanks, taking advantage of the altitude, rainfall, and volcanic soil fertility that characterize the region.