Makian was falsely alleged to have begun erupting at 1930 on 16 August 2001. The same Jakarta news article also reported that the volcano continued to spew lava on 17 August forcing residents to evacuate. The article also noted that hot ash and debris were ejected to a height of 20 m and dark clouds rose 75 m.

The Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI) later indicated that the report was false. An observer had mistakenly interpreted the glow from a brush fire as volcanic activity. VSI has not reported any recent volcanic activity at Makian.

Geological Summary. Kie Besi volcano, forming the 10-km-wide Makian island off the west coast of Halmahera, has been the source of infrequent, but strong eruptions that have devastated villages on the island. The large 1.5-km-wide summit crater, containing a small lake on the NE side, gives the peak a flat-topped profile. Two prominent valleys extend to the coast from the summit crater on the north and east sides. Four cones are found on the western flanks. Eruption have been recorded since about 1550; major eruptions in 1646, 1760-61, 1861-62, 1890, and 1988 caused extensive damage and many fatalities.

Information Contacts: Dali Ahmad, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).; Darwin VAAC, Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia; Meteorological and Geophysical Agency of Indonesia (Badan Meteorologi dan Geofisika, BMG), Jalan Angkasa I/2 Kemayoran, Jakarta Pusat 10720, Indonesia (URL: http://www.bmg.go.id/), Société Volcanologique Européenne.