During 8-14 July, volcanic activity increased in comparison to the previous week at Karangetang. On July 8 at 1806 an explosion at the main crater produced an ash cloud that rose 1 km above the crater and drifted to the NNW. Lava was visible flowing down the volcano's W slope and burning crops in its path. During the rest of the report week, low-level plumes continued to rise above Karangetang's main crater and Crater II. Karangetang remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

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.

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