CVGHM reported that seismicity at Seulawah Agam increased during 27 December-2 January. Visual observations were prevented due to fog, although on 2 January scientists observed a new solfatara that produced roaring noises and was within 20 m of van Heutsz Crater on the NNE flank. The Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) on 3 January.

Geological Summary. Seulawah Agam, near the NW tip of Sumatra, is an extensively forested volcano with a small summit crater. It was constructed within the large Pleistocene Lam Teuba caldera, which also contains a smaller 6 x 8 caldera. The van Heutsz crater is an active fumarolic area on the NNE flank extending about 200 m downslope around 700 m elevation; it does not have the appearance of a volcanic crater. Additional geothermal areas are noted by Marwan et al. (2021). Sapper (1927) and Neumann van Padang (1951 CAVW) listed an explosive eruption in the early 16th century, and the CAVW also listed an eruption from the van Heutsz crater in 1839. However, Rock et al. (1982) found no evidence for historical eruptions. The Volcanological Survey of Indonesia also noted that although no reported eruptions have occurred from the main cone, the NNE-flank activity may have only been hydrothermal.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)