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Guntur

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Volcanic Region
  • Landform | Volc Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 7.143°S
  • 107.841°E

  • 2,251 m
    7,385 ft

  • 263130
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Weekly Report: 28 August-3 September 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

CVGHM reported that the number of deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes at Guntur increased during 15-21 August; seismicity declined after that period. On 30 August at 0820 seismicity again increased, characterized by continuous tremor that lasted until 1450. At 1600 CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and reminded residents and visitors not to approach the active crater within a 2-km radius.

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


Most Recent Bulletin Report: April 2003 (BGVN 28:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Increased seismicity since December 2002

During December 2002, the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI) reported that activity at Guntur was higher than normal. As a result, the Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). No plume was observed, but deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes were registered, as well as tectonic earthquakes, through at least mid-May 2003. Tremor was also reported occasionally (table 1). On 28 December a "white ash plume around Guntur crater and Kabuyutan crater reached 3 m high." No ashfall was reported. The temperature at Guntur crater was 79.7°C and at Kabuyutan was 92.7°C. EDM deformation measurements taken on 22 November, 14 December, and 28 December 2002 revealed 11 cm of inflation. On 13 January 2003, an earthquake (MM 2-3) was felt in surrounding areas. Elevated tremor was noted during the first week of April 2003. Guntur remained at Alert Level 2 throughout mid-May.

Table 1. Seismicity at Guntur during 1 December 2002-18 May 2003. Courtesy of VSI.

Date Deep volcanic (A-type) Shallow volcanic (B-type) Tectonic
01 Dec-08 Dec 2002 8 8 19
09 Dec-15 Dec 2002 5 12 23
16 Dec-22 Dec 2002 2 6 16
23 Dec-29 Dec 2002 -- 5 14
30 Dec-05 Jan 2003 8 24 15
06 Jan-12 Jan 2003 3 6 12
13 Jan-19 Jan 2003 2 11 12
20 Jan-26 Jan 2003 3 23 20
27 Jan-02 Feb 2003 5 5 22
03 Feb-09 Feb 2003 5 4 11
10 Feb-16 Feb 2003 4 5 22
17 Feb-23 Feb 2003 3 11 17
24 Feb-02 Mar 2003 6 4 19
03 Mar-09 Mar 2003 3 10 30
10 Mar-16 Mar 2003 4 5 20
17 Mar-23 Mar 2003 1 3 28
24 Mar-30 Mar 2003 4 4 24
31 Mar-06 Apr 2003 13 6 23
07 Apr-13 Apr 2003 5 2 17
14 Apr-20 Apr 2003 3 3 22
21 Apr-27 Apr 2003 6 3 31
28 Apr-04 May 2003 4 2 18
05 May-11 May 2003 2 -- 24
12 May-18 May 2003 3 1 19

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

Weekly Reports - Index


2013: May | August
2002: December


28 August-3 September 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

CVGHM reported that the number of deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes at Guntur increased during 15-21 August; seismicity declined after that period. On 30 August at 0820 seismicity again increased, characterized by continuous tremor that lasted until 1450. At 1600 CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and reminded residents and visitors not to approach the active crater within a 2-km radius.

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


8 May-14 May 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

CVGHM reported that in early March a slight increase of deep and shallow volcanic-tectonic earthquakes at Guntur was recorded; volcanic tremor became continuous on 2 April, prompting CVGHM to raise the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Temperature measurements of hot springs in five different areas fluctuated until mid-April and then were relatively stable through early May. Seismicity also decreased in early May. On 7 May the Alert Level was lowered to 1.

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


24 December-30 December 2002 Citation IconCite this Report

During 9-15 December higher-than-normal seismicity at Guntur led VSI to raise the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Visual observations of the summit did not reveal any surface changes or ash plumes. In comparison to the previous week, the number of shallow volcanic and tectonic earthquakes increased, while deep volcanic earthquakes decreased. Seismicity remained higher than normal during 16-22 December, but fewer earthquakes occurred than during the previous week. The Alert Level remained at 2.

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.

04/2003 (BGVN 28:04) Increased seismicity since December 2002




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


April 2003 (BGVN 28:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Increased seismicity since December 2002

During December 2002, the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI) reported that activity at Guntur was higher than normal. As a result, the Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). No plume was observed, but deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes were registered, as well as tectonic earthquakes, through at least mid-May 2003. Tremor was also reported occasionally (table 1). On 28 December a "white ash plume around Guntur crater and Kabuyutan crater reached 3 m high." No ashfall was reported. The temperature at Guntur crater was 79.7°C and at Kabuyutan was 92.7°C. EDM deformation measurements taken on 22 November, 14 December, and 28 December 2002 revealed 11 cm of inflation. On 13 January 2003, an earthquake (MM 2-3) was felt in surrounding areas. Elevated tremor was noted during the first week of April 2003. Guntur remained at Alert Level 2 throughout mid-May.

Table 1. Seismicity at Guntur during 1 December 2002-18 May 2003. Courtesy of VSI.

Date Deep volcanic (A-type) Shallow volcanic (B-type) Tectonic
01 Dec-08 Dec 2002 8 8 19
09 Dec-15 Dec 2002 5 12 23
16 Dec-22 Dec 2002 2 6 16
23 Dec-29 Dec 2002 -- 5 14
30 Dec-05 Jan 2003 8 24 15
06 Jan-12 Jan 2003 3 6 12
13 Jan-19 Jan 2003 2 11 12
20 Jan-26 Jan 2003 3 23 20
27 Jan-02 Feb 2003 5 5 22
03 Feb-09 Feb 2003 5 4 11
10 Feb-16 Feb 2003 4 5 22
17 Feb-23 Feb 2003 3 11 17
24 Feb-02 Mar 2003 6 4 19
03 Mar-09 Mar 2003 3 10 30
10 Mar-16 Mar 2003 4 5 20
17 Mar-23 Mar 2003 1 3 28
24 Mar-30 Mar 2003 4 4 24
31 Mar-06 Apr 2003 13 6 23
07 Apr-13 Apr 2003 5 2 17
14 Apr-20 Apr 2003 3 3 22
21 Apr-27 Apr 2003 6 3 31
28 Apr-04 May 2003 4 2 18
05 May-11 May 2003 2 -- 24
12 May-18 May 2003 3 1 19

Information Contacts: Dali Ahmad, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.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 24 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

[ 1887 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1887 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

[ 1885 Jan 18 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1885 Jan 18 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

[ 1849 ] Discredited Eruption

An eruption in 1849 not in other sources was listed by de Neve (1985); Sapper (1927) listed this as increased activity, not an eruption.

1847 Oct 16 - 1847 Oct 28 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1847 Oct 16 - 1847 Oct 28 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1847 Oct 16    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1843 Nov 26 - 1843 Nov 26 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
1843 Nov 26 - 1843 Nov 26 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage Uncertain
1843 Nov 26    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1843 Jan 4 - 1843 Jan 4 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1843 Jan 4 - 1843 Jan 4 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1843 Jan 4    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1841 Nov 14 - 1841 Nov 14 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1841 Nov 14 - 1841 Nov 14 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1841 Nov 14    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1840 May 20 - 1840 May 24 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1840 May 20 - 1840 May 24 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 6 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1840 May 20    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1836 Oct 11 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1836 Oct 11 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1836 Oct 11    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1834 Dec - 1835 Jan Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1834 Dec - 1835 Jan Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

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

1833 Sep 1 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1833 Sep 1 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1833 Sep 1    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1832 Aug 8 - 1832 Aug 13 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1832 Aug 8 - 1832 Aug 13 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1832 Aug 8    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1832 Jan 16 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1832 Jan 16 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1832 Jan 16    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1829 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1829 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1829    - - - - Fatalities
1829    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1828 May 14 - 1828 Jul 8 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1828 May 14 - 1828 Jul 8 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1828 May 14    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1827 May 13 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1827 May 13 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1827 May 13    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1825 Jun 14 - 1825 Jun 15 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1825 Jun 14 - 1825 Jun 15 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1825 Jun 14    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1818 Oct 21 - 1818 Oct 24 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1818 Oct 21 - 1818 Oct 24 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 6 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
   - - - -    - - - - Evacuations
1818 Oct 21    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1816 Sep 21 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1816 Sep 21 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1816 Sep 21    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1815 Aug 15 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1815 Aug 15 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1815 Aug 15    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1809 May 9 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1809 May 9 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1809 May 9    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1807 Sep 1 - 1807 Sep 6 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1807 Sep 1 - 1807 Sep 6 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1807 Sep 1    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1803 Apr 3 - 1803 Apr 15 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1803 Apr 3 - 1803 Apr 15 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1803 Apr 3    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1800 Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption
1800 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow Uncertain
1800 Oct 8
(in or after)
   - - - - Fatalities Uncertain

1780 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1780 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
1780    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1777 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
1777 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
1777    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1690 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1690 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1690    - - - - Fatalities
1690    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Guntur.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Guntur.

Photo Gallery

The flat area to the left is Alun-Alun, the uppermost of four large craters on Papandayan volcano. The v-shaped valley in the center of the photo extending to the NE is the breach left by collapse of Papandayan volcano in 1772. The volcano in the distance on the left horizon is Gunung Guntur, another historically active volcano bordering the Garut Plain.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1986 (U.S. Geological Survey).
Guntur is composed of older volcanic complexes on the NW and a younger group of cones on the SE. The youngest cone, Guntur (whose name means "thunder"), has been the source of frequent explosive eruptions in the 19th century. This view is from the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia observatory on the south side of the volcano. The peak at the right is Gunung Picung.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1995 (Smithsonian Institution).
The forested hills in the foreground are part of a massive, hummocky debris-avalanche deposit that originated from a prehistoric flank collapse of Guntur volcano, seen in the distance at the upper right.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1995 (Smithsonian Institution).
The older NW portion of Guntur volcano rises above a small lake at the Cipanas hot spring resort SE of the volcano. Guntur and neighboring volcanoes surrounding the plain of Garut were some of the oldest tourist destinations in Java.

Photo by J. Matehelumual, 1986 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Gunung Guntur at the right center is the youngest cone of the volcanic complex. It consists of a younger SW part consisting of cones lying along a NW-SE trend and an older, more eroded complex to the NW. Youthful lava flows can be seen on the lower right-hand flanks of Guntur, whose name means "thunder," a reflection of frequent eruptions in the 19th century.

Photo by Ruska Hadian, 1988 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Guntur volcano is viewed here from the S near the base of Papandayan, looking across rice fields in the plain of Garut. The rounded profile of Gunung Guntur, the youngest cone of the volcanic complex, appears on the right horizon.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1995 (Smithsonian Institution).
The prominent levees of a historical lava flow (center) are visible on the SE flank of Guntur. The rounded summit at the left is Gunung Guntur, the youngest peak of the volcanic complex. To the right are Gunung Batususun and Gunung Picung, part of the older massif.

Photo published in Taverne, 1926 "Vulkaanstudien op Java," (courtesy of Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Lava flows, some of historical age, on the SE flank of Guntur volcano, encroaching on cultivated fields. Prominent flow levees are visible on the youngest lava flow that was emplaced over levees of older flows.

Photo published in Taverne, 1926 "Vulkaanstudien op Java," (courtesy of Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
The summit of Guntur volcano is seen here in an aerial view from the SW with the crater of Gunung Masigit in the foreground. The forested 250-350 m wide crater is about 100 m deep. A smaller crater is to the top center below the Agung crater (top). The historically active crater of Guntur is off the photo to the right.

Photo published in Taverne, 1926 "Vulkaanstudien op Java," (courtesy of 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

The following 2 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 101601 Unidentified -- --
NMNH 116701-1 Andesite SE FLANK --
External Sites