PVMBG and the Darwin VAAC reported that on most days during 23-29 December ash plumes from Dukono rose 100-600 m above the summit. Weather conditions sometimes prevented visual observations. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.

Geological Summary. The Dukono complex in northern Halmahera is on an edifice with a broad, low profile containing multiple peaks and overlapping craters. Almost continuous explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have occurred since 1933. During a major eruption in 1550 CE, a lava flow filled in the strait between Halmahera and the Gunung Mamuya cone, 10 km NE. Malupang Wariang, 1 km SW of the summit crater complex, contains a 700 x 570 m crater that has also had reported eruptions.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)