Sinabung
Stratovolcano in Indonesia
Key Facts
Elevation
2,460 m (8,071 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
3.170°, 98.392°
Region
Sunda Volcanic Arc
Total Eruptions
5
Max VEI
VEI 4
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Eruption Timeline
Most recent confirmed eruption
Historical eruption (estimated)
Historical eruption (estimated)
Historical eruption (estimated)
Historical eruption (estimated)
Overview
Gunung Sinabung is a Pleistocene-to-Holocene stratovolcano with many lava flows on its flanks. The migration of summit vents along a N-S line gives the summit crater complex an elongated form. The youngest crater of this conical andesitic-to-dacitic edifice is at the southern end of the four overlapping summit craters.
The youngest deposit is a SE-flank pyroclastic flow 14C dated by Hendrasto et al. (2012) at 740-880 CE. An unconfirmed eruption was noted in 1881, and solfataric activity was seen at the summit and upper flanks in 1912.
No confirmed historical eruptions were recorded prior to explosive eruptions during August-September 2010 that produced ash plumes to 5 km above 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 | 5 | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI 4 | Major | Regional impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 5 years ago | Very Recent | Currently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 261080
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
The Sinabung volcano, seen here from the E, rises above farmlands on the Karo Plateau. At the time of this photo Sinabung contained four summit craters, the southernmost of which was the youngest. Many prominent lava flows can be seen on the flanks of the volcano.
Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1987 (U.S. Geological Survey).
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.