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Report on Karangetang (Indonesia) — January 1993


Karangetang

Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, vol. 18, no. 1 (January 1993)
Managing Editor: Lindsay McClelland.

Karangetang (Indonesia) Ash ejection and hot lahars force evacuations; no casualities

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 1993. Report on Karangetang (Indonesia) (McClelland, L., ed.). Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, 18:1. Smithsonian Institution. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.BGVN199301-267020



Karangetang

Indonesia

2.781°N, 125.407°E; summit elev. 1797 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


This report provides additional information about the 21 January eruption described in 17:12. Activity increased at 2335, with ejection of incandescent lava fragments and gray ash clouds. The 21 January explosion was followed by rumbling sounds and ejection of lava fragments that avalanched 750 m down the Beha valley. The press reported that a hot mudflow was observed at 1714 flowing S along the Bahebang River to 4.5 km from the summit, forcing the evacuation of 452 people. No casualties were reported, but avalanches or nuées ardentes damaged two houses near the outlet of the Bahebang river on 21 January, and another five are threatened by rain-induced lahars. The press noted that a bridge linking the villages of Dame and Karanglung, ~ 4 km SSW, was destroyed by hot ashes, and ashfall was reported 3-6 km SE and SSE of the summit (in the villages of Bubali, Salili, Panili, and Ondang). Avalanches and rumbling noises were continuing as of 10 February.

Geological Summary. Karangetang (Api Siau) volcano lies at the northern end of the island of Siau, about 125 km NNE of the NE-most point of Sulawesi. The stratovolcano contains five summit craters along a N-S line. It is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, with more than 40 eruptions recorded since 1675 and many additional small eruptions that were not documented (Neumann van Padang, 1951). Twentieth-century eruptions have included frequent explosive activity sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and lahars. Lava dome growth has occurred in the summit craters; collapse of lava flow fronts have produced pyroclastic flows.

Information Contacts: W. Tjetjep, VSI; ANS.