Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 27 June-3 July 2012
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2012. Report on Batu Tara (Indonesia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 27 June-3 July 2012. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. https://volcano.si.edu/showreport.cfm?gvpvar=GVP.WVAR20120627-264260
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 27 June ash plumes from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 30 km NW.
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.