Report on Lokon-Empung (Indonesia) — 19 March-25 March 2003
Smithsonian / US Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report,
19 March-25 March 2003
Managing Editor: Gari Mayberry
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2003. Report on Lokon-Empung (Indonesia). In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 19 March-25 March 2003. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Lokon-Empung
Indonesia
1.358°N, 124.792°E; summit elev. 1580 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
During 10-16 March, volcanism remained at relatively high levels at Lokon-Empung with "white-thick ash emissions" rising to low levels above Tompaluan crater. No explosions occurred during 14-16 March. Seismicity was dominated by emission and tremor earthquakes. The Alert Level at Lokon-Empung remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4).
Geological Summary. The Lokong-Empung volcanic complex, rising above the plain of Tondano in North Sulawesi, includes four peaks and an active crater. Lokon, the highest peak, has a flat craterless top. The morphologically younger Empung cone 2 km NE has a 400-m-wide, 150-m-deep crater that erupted last in the 18th century. A ridge extending 3 km WNW from Lokon includes the Tatawiran and Tetempangan peaks. All eruptions since 1829 have originated from Tompaluan, a 150 x 250 m crater in the saddle between Lokon and Empung. These eruptions have primarily produced small-to-moderate ash plumes that sometimes damaged croplands and houses, but lava-dome growth and pyroclastic flows have also occurred.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)