Report on Batu Tara (Indonesia) — 9 July-15 July 2008
Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 9 July-15 July 2008
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2008. Report on Batu Tara (Indonesia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 9 July-15 July 2008. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Batu Tara
Indonesia
7.791°S, 123.585°E; summit elev. 633 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
Intermittent ash plumes from Batu Tara continued to be reported by the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) during 9-14 July 2008 based on satellite imagery. On 9 July the plume rose to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) altitude a.s.l. and drifted as far as 65 km WNW. A similar plume was seen during 14-15 July.
Geological Summary. The small isolated island of Batu Tara in the Flores Sea about 50 km N of Lembata (fomerly Lomblen) Island contains a scarp on the eastern side similar to the Sciara del Fuoco of Italy's Stromboli volcano. Vegetation covers the flanks to within 50 m of the summit. Batu Tara lies north of the main volcanic arc and is noted for its potassic leucite-bearing basanitic and tephritic rocks. The first historical eruption, during 1847-52, produced explosions and a lava flow.
