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Kaba

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Volcanic Region
  • Landform | Volc Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 3.522°S
  • 102.615°E

  • 1,940 m
    6,365 ft

  • 261220
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Weekly Report: 13 July-19 July 2011 Citation IconCite this Report

On 14 July CVGHM reported that, since the Alert Level for Kaba was raised on 20 October 2009, seismicity had fluctuated but decreased overall. During September 2009-May 2011, when weather permitted, white plumes were seen rising 25-300 m above the crater rim, and during June-July 2011 diffuse white plumes rose 50 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 12 July.

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


Most Recent Bulletin Report: September 2009 (BGVN 34:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Increased seismicity and whitish vapor emissions

Deep volcanic earthquakes, seismic tremor, and five small explosions with corresponding ash emission were reported from Kaba in August 2000 (BGVN 25:11). Since then, Kaba has been quiet, but even in its normal state it almost always emits whitish plumes 25-100 m high.

On 20 October 2009, the Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) reported that seismic activity from Kaba increased in August and remained elevated into September and October. Inflation was also detected. When weather permitted, diffuse white plumes were seen rising ~ 25-50 m above the summit crater complex and drifting E. Based on the deformation and increased seismicity, CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

From January through August 2009, the frequency of deep volcanic earthquakes averaged 85 events per month, but in August the number of events rose to 257 per month. During August-September, whitish plumes remained similar to September-October. In September seismicity fluctuated but tended to increase. Earthquakes and total tremors recorded at Kaba's monitoring post are shown in table 2.

Table 2. Summary of Kaba seismic data recorded during 12 September-20 October 2009. Courtesy of CVGHM.

Dates (2009) Deep volcanic earthquakes (Count, Characteristics) Shallow volcanic earthquakes (Count, Characteristics) Notes
Beginning on 12 September 343 55 --
1-17 October 253. Max. amplitudes of 1-18 mm; S-wave minus P-wave arrival times ("S-P") of 0.2-3.5 s with signals lasting 4-35 s. 271. Max. amplitudes 0.5-15 mm, durations of 2.5-11 s. --
18 October 68. Max. amplitude of 1-19 mm; S-P times of 0.2-3 s, and a duration of 3.5-47 s. 67. Max. amplitudes 0.8-16 mm, durations of 2.5-13 s. --
19 October 50. Max. amplitudes of 0.5-18 mm; S-P 0.5-2 s, and a duration of 2-15 s. 127. Max. amplitudes 0.5-15 mm, durations of 2.5-10 s. Volcanic tremor registered during 0640-0900 local time; max. amplitudes 0.5-2 mm.
20 October 29. Max. amplitudes of 0.5-18 mm; S-P 0.5-2 seconds and a duration of 2-15 s. 21. Max. amplitudes 0.5-15 mm, durations of 2.5-10 s. Continuous tremor with amplitudes of 1-7 mm; the most prevalent amplitudes 1-3 mm. During clear weather, whitish plumes rose ~ 25 m.

Deformation measurements taken using an EDM (electronic distance measurement) method were as follows: Biring station, shorter by 10 cm; Voelsang station, longer by 0.4 cm; and Kaba station, shorter by 2 cm.

Measurements of the crater water temperature on 15 October showed a reading of 72°C, with a pH of 3.24. The sulfurous and associated solfatara areas recorded a temperature of around 106-107°C. There was no other activity in the area of the crater.

Information Contacts: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://vsi.esdm.go.id/).

Weekly Reports - Index


2011: July
2009: October


13 July-19 July 2011 Citation IconCite this Report

On 14 July CVGHM reported that, since the Alert Level for Kaba was raised on 20 October 2009, seismicity had fluctuated but decreased overall. During September 2009-May 2011, when weather permitted, white plumes were seen rising 25-300 m above the crater rim, and during June-July 2011 diffuse white plumes rose 50 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 12 July.

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


14 October-20 October 2009 Citation IconCite this Report

On 20 October, CVGHM reported that seismic activity from Kaba increased in August and remained elevated in September and October. Inflation was also detected. When weather permitted, diffuse white plumes were seen rising 25-50 m above the crater rim and drifting E. Based on the deformation and increased seismicity, CVGHN raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

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


Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

12/1979 (SEAN 04:12) Only solfataric activity accompanies 17 December earthquake

11/2000 (BGVN 25:11) Explosions and light gray ash

09/2009 (BGVN 34:09) Increased seismicity and whitish vapor emissions




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


December 1979 (SEAN 04:12) Citation IconCite this Report

Only solfataric activity accompanies 17 December earthquake

Some press reports indicated that increased activity from Kaba and neighboring Bukit Daun volcanoes preceded a destructive 17 December earthquake. Adjat Sudradjat and Suparto Siswowidjoyo report that no unusual volcanic activity took place. Thick white solfataric vapor was emitted from two craters (Kaba Lama and Kaba Besar) on Kaba, which last erupted in 1956. Temperatures of solfataras and a crater lake at Kaba were measured on several occasions in the past nine years (table 1). Active fumaroles are present on Bukit Daun, but the volcano has not erupted in historic time.

Table 1. Temperatures of solfataras and a crater lake at Kaba, 1971, 1976, and 1978. Courtesy of VSI.

Area 1971 1976 1978
Solfataras 110°C 156°C 123°C
Crater Lake 45°C -- 34°C

Information Contacts: A. Sudradjat, VSI; Suparto S., Java and Sumatra Observatory, VSI.


November 2000 (BGVN 25:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Explosions and light gray ash

This report covers activity at Kaba documented by the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI) during August 2000. Deep volcanic earthquakes dominated seismicity during the second week of August. On 17 August seismographs recorded harmonic tremor with a maximum amplitude of 14 mm. Visual observations were hindered by clouds around the summit until the third week of the month. During 22-28 August, conditions were clear and a light gray ash plume rose 200 m above the summit. Five small explosion earthquakes were registered on 26-27 August, corresponding to the same number of observed ash emissions. By the end of August, the number of deep volcanic earthquakes decreased. Kaba remained at a hazard status of 2 (on a scale of 1-4) throughout the month.

Information Contacts: Dali Ahmad, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).


September 2009 (BGVN 34:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Increased seismicity and whitish vapor emissions

Deep volcanic earthquakes, seismic tremor, and five small explosions with corresponding ash emission were reported from Kaba in August 2000 (BGVN 25:11). Since then, Kaba has been quiet, but even in its normal state it almost always emits whitish plumes 25-100 m high.

On 20 October 2009, the Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) reported that seismic activity from Kaba increased in August and remained elevated into September and October. Inflation was also detected. When weather permitted, diffuse white plumes were seen rising ~ 25-50 m above the summit crater complex and drifting E. Based on the deformation and increased seismicity, CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

From January through August 2009, the frequency of deep volcanic earthquakes averaged 85 events per month, but in August the number of events rose to 257 per month. During August-September, whitish plumes remained similar to September-October. In September seismicity fluctuated but tended to increase. Earthquakes and total tremors recorded at Kaba's monitoring post are shown in table 2.

Table 2. Summary of Kaba seismic data recorded during 12 September-20 October 2009. Courtesy of CVGHM.

Dates (2009) Deep volcanic earthquakes (Count, Characteristics) Shallow volcanic earthquakes (Count, Characteristics) Notes
Beginning on 12 September 343 55 --
1-17 October 253. Max. amplitudes of 1-18 mm; S-wave minus P-wave arrival times ("S-P") of 0.2-3.5 s with signals lasting 4-35 s. 271. Max. amplitudes 0.5-15 mm, durations of 2.5-11 s. --
18 October 68. Max. amplitude of 1-19 mm; S-P times of 0.2-3 s, and a duration of 3.5-47 s. 67. Max. amplitudes 0.8-16 mm, durations of 2.5-13 s. --
19 October 50. Max. amplitudes of 0.5-18 mm; S-P 0.5-2 s, and a duration of 2-15 s. 127. Max. amplitudes 0.5-15 mm, durations of 2.5-10 s. Volcanic tremor registered during 0640-0900 local time; max. amplitudes 0.5-2 mm.
20 October 29. Max. amplitudes of 0.5-18 mm; S-P 0.5-2 seconds and a duration of 2-15 s. 21. Max. amplitudes 0.5-15 mm, durations of 2.5-10 s. Continuous tremor with amplitudes of 1-7 mm; the most prevalent amplitudes 1-3 mm. During clear weather, whitish plumes rose ~ 25 m.

Deformation measurements taken using an EDM (electronic distance measurement) method were as follows: Biring station, shorter by 10 cm; Voelsang station, longer by 0.4 cm; and Kaba station, shorter by 2 cm.

Measurements of the crater water temperature on 15 October showed a reading of 72°C, with a pH of 3.24. The sulfurous and associated solfatara areas recorded a temperature of around 106-107°C. There was no other activity in the area of the crater.

Information Contacts: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://vsi.esdm.go.id/).

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 11 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

2000 Aug 22 (?) - 2000 Aug 27 (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption
2000 Aug 22 (?) - 2000 Aug 27 (?) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor)
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) Before.
2000 Aug 22
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1956 Mar 22 - 1956 Mar 28 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1956 Mar 22 - 1956 Mar 28 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Volcanic "smoke"
1956 Mar 22    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1952 Apr 1 - 1952 Apr 28 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1952 Apr 1 - 1952 Apr 28 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Audible Sounds
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
1952 Apr 1    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1950 Mar 16 ± 15 days - 1951 Apr 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Kaba Vogelsang
1950 Mar 16 ± 15 days - 1951 Apr 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at Kaba Vogelsang

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Audible Sounds
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
1950 Mar    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1951 Mar 7    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1939 Nov 19 - 1941 Mar 14 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Kaba Baru, Kaba Lama
1939 Nov 19 - 1941 Mar 14 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Kaba Baru, Kaba Lama

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
1939 Nov 19    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1918 Aug 9 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1918 Aug 9 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
1918 Aug 9    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1907 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Kaba Baru
1907 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Kaba Baru

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1907    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1873 - 1892 Nov 1 ± 30 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Kaba Volgelsang and Kaba Baru
1873 - 1892 Nov 1 ± 30 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Kaba Volgelsang and Kaba Baru

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
1873    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1868 Oct - 1869 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Kaba Baru ? and Kaba Vogelsang
1868 Oct - 1869 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Kaba Baru ? and Kaba Vogelsang

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1868 Oct    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1853 Nov Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1853 Nov - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1853 Nov    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1838 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1838 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

1834 Nov Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1834 Nov - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1834 Nov    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1833 Nov 24 - 1833 Nov 25 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1833 Nov 24 - 1833 Nov 25 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 6 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1833 Nov 24    - - - - Fatalities
1833 Nov 24    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Kaba.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Kaba.

Photo Gallery

A small plume rises from Kaba Kecil, the middle of three summit craters on Kaba volcano, viewed from the ENE at Vogelsang Peak on the upper NNE flank. The Bukit Biring peak is to the left of Kaba Kecil crater and Bukit Kaba peak is to the right. The far wall of Kaba Lama crater, the largest crater at Kaba, forms the center horizon.

Photo by Deddy Rochendi, 1981 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Kaba is a low, elongated volcano with a summit containing three historically active craters that decrease in size towards the ENE. The central crater seen in this photo has been the source of most historical eruptions, along with two other craters that have also been active. Small lakes have formed in all craters at various times.

Photo by Deddy Rochendi, 1981 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Fumaroles produce plumes along the floor and margins of Kawah Besar, a small crater with a shallow crater lake occupying Kaba Lama. This is the largest and westernmost of three major craters at the summit of Kaba volcano. The rim of 1.2-km-wide Kaba Lama forms the horizon.

Photo by Deddy Rochendi, 1981 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
An eruption during 1950-51 formed the crater in the foreground within the larger Kaba Vogelsang crater on the upper ENE flank of Kaba volcano. The eruption began in March 1950 and lasted until April of the following year. An eruption on 7 March 1951 resulted in ashfall that destroyed forests on the volcano, and incandescent bombs were ejected on 2 March.

Photo by Deddy Rochendi, 1981 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
A dense plume emanates from fumaroles occupying the floor of Kaba Lama, the largest of the three major summit craters of Kaba volcano. A shallow lake occupying the crater floor is one of several in the Kaba crater complex.

Anonymous, 1991.
Gunung Kaba, rising above farmlands at Pematang Danau, has three large historically active craters trending ENE from the summit to the upper NE flank. The SW-most crater is the largest. Most historical activity has consisted of explosive eruptions that affected only the summit region of the volcano. They originated from the central summit craters, although the upper-NE flank crater Kawah Vogelsang also produced explosions during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Photo by Setiadarma, 1989 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Kaba in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites