Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 11 June-17 June 2014
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2014. Report on Batu Tara (Indonesia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 11 June-17 June 2014. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. https://volcano.si.edu/showreport.cfm?gvpvar=GVP.WVAR20140611-264260
Based on analyses of satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported an ash plume from Batu Tara on 15 June rising to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting 55 km SW. During 16 June the plume was slightly lower, at 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l., extending 37 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.