Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 7 January-13 January 2009
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2009. Report on Batu Tara (Indonesia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 7 January-13 January 2009. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. https://volcano.si.edu/showreport.cfm?gvpvar=GVP.WVAR20090107-264260
Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 7 January ash plumes from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and ENE.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Geological Summary. The small isolated island of Batu Tara is located in the Flores Sea ~50 km N of Lembata (formerly Lomblen) Island and the main volcanic arc. A scarp on the eastern side reaches the sea, and vegetation covers the other flanks to within 50 m of the summit. This volcano is noted for its potassic leucite-bearing basanitic and tephritic rocks. The first recorded eruption, during 1847-52, produced explosions and a lava flow.