Logo link to homepage

Kelimutu

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 8.77°S
  • 121.82°E

  • 1639 m
    5377 ft

  • 264140
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number
Most Recent Weekly Report: 10 July-16 July 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

CVGHM reported that on 6, 10, and 12 June, and during 14 June-9 July, the color of the water in Kelimutu’s Crater II (Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai Crater) was bluish white. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 50 m above the lake’s surface and in some areas the water appeared or sounded like it was boiling. A sulfur odor was also reported. The water in Crater I (Tiwu Ata Polo) was light green and churned, and the water in Crater III (Tiwu Ata Mbupu) was mossy green.

During 22-29 June sulfur dioxide concentrations from Crater II were occasionally detected at 2.8 ppm, when the wind blew the gas towards the sensor. CVGHM noted that plumes rising from the lakes became lower and barely visible during 3 June-9 July, and that the “rustling sound” of water from near the dividing wall of craters I and II gradually faded away. Based on visual observations, seismicity, and gas emissions, CVGHM lowered the Alert Level 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: June 2013 (BGVN 38:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Crater water boils; diffuse, white plume increases to 50 m

This volcano is well known for three summit crater lakes, each a different color. We last reported minor bubbling in a crater lake Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai lake in 1995 (BGVN 20:06). Between 15 and 19 May 1995, rescuers searched for the body of a Dutch tourist who had fallen into the crater lake but they did not find it.

2013 activity.The Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) reported that on 6, 10, and 12 June 2013, and during 14 June-9 July 2013, the color of the water in Kelimutu's Crater II (Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai Crater) was bluish white. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 50 m above the lake's surface and in some areas the water appeared or sounded like it was boiling. A sulfur odor was also reported. The water in Crater I (Tiwu Ata Polo) was light green and churned, and the water in Crater III (Tiwu Ata Mbupu) was mossy green.

On 3 June 2013, a change was observed in the color of the lake water in Crater II, going from blue to a café au lait (light tan), accompanied by white smoke under weak to medium pressure, rising 50 meters above the surface of the lake. From the southern side of Crater II a bubbling sound of boiling was heard near the wall separating Crater I from Crater II. The smell of sulphur gas was quite sharp in the vicinity of the crater and at nighttime a weak to medium smell of this gas could be discerned in Pemo Village which is 3 kms from the peak of Kelimutu. On 4 June 2013 at 1400 hours local time the status of Kelimutu was upgraded from Alert Level 1 (Normal) to Alert Level 2 (Waspada).

On 6 June 2013 water in Crater II was a bluish white (like a salty egg), with sparse to medium white smoke under weak to strong pressure extending up 10-35 meters above the lake surface. A weak to strong bubbling sound of boiling water was heard on the southern side of the crater. A medium to sharp smell of sulphurous gas was evident as was the withering vegetation.

On 10 June 2013 water in Crater II was still a bluish white with medium to dense white smoke extending up 40-50 m above the lake surface. A bubbling sound of boiling water could be heard on the southern side of the crater. A medium smell of sulphurous gases was discernible.

On 12 June 2013, smoke rising from the surface of the lake extended to only about 10-30 meters above the lip of the crater. There was a rather acrid smell of sulphurous fumes. Eruptive and hot air noises were audible two times and the water in the crater lake still appeared to be boiling.

From 14 June to 9 July 2013, water in Crater II visually still appeared bluish white with sparse white smoke rising from the surface of the lake about 2-10 meters into the atmosphere (dominant height was not observed). There was a weak to medium (with weak dominating) smell of sulphurous gases. At one point bubbling water was noticeable but it was clearly under weak pressure. Water from Crater III was calm and moss-green in color.

During 22-29 June 2013 sulfur dioxide concentrations in Crater II were occasionally 2.8 ppm, when the wind blew the gas towards the sensor. CVGHM noted that plumes rising from the lakes became lower and barely visible during 3 June-9 July, and that the hissing or "rustling sound" of water from near the dividing wall of craters I and II had gradually faded away. Based on visual observations, seismicity, and gas emissions, CVGHM lowered the Alert Level to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 12 July (figure 4).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 4. Kelimutu has three summit crater lakes seen in this photo. The lake Tiwi Ata Mbupu (left) is commonly blue. Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai and Tiwu Ata Polo, which share a common crater wall, are typically green and red-colored, respectively. Photo courtesy of https://www.tripping.com. Posted 1 June 2013.

During 13 - 18 June 2013, local tectonic quakes peaked at 139 before undergoing a decrease as of 17 June 2013. Shallow (VB) and deep (VA) volcanic earthquakes occurred intensely each day, reaching a a peak of 13 shallow volcanic quakes 19-24 June 2013 and then tended to decline (figure 5). Deep volcanic quakes peaked at 14 during 1-6 July 2013 and then subsided.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 5. A plot of seismicity at Kelimutu during 1 June 2013 through 11 July 2013. Courtesy of CVGHM.

No thermal alerts were recorded by MODVOLC for the past twelve months beginning in mid-July 2012.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 6. First photo (A) is Tiwu Ata Polo Lake (water color change from red to green), second photo (B) is between Tiwu Ata Polo Lake and Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Fai Lake, and third photo (C) is Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Fai Lake (water color change from green to white). Pictures taken on 6 June 2013 by Kristianto.

Information Contacts: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); and Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) MODVOLC Thermal System, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Univ. of Hawai'i, 2525 Correa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA (URL: http;//hotspot.higp.hawaii.edu/).

Weekly Reports - Index


2013: June | July


10 July-16 July 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

CVGHM reported that on 6, 10, and 12 June, and during 14 June-9 July, the color of the water in Kelimutu’s Crater II (Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai Crater) was bluish white. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 50 m above the lake’s surface and in some areas the water appeared or sounded like it was boiling. A sulfur odor was also reported. The water in Crater I (Tiwu Ata Polo) was light green and churned, and the water in Crater III (Tiwu Ata Mbupu) was mossy green.

During 22-29 June sulfur dioxide concentrations from Crater II were occasionally detected at 2.8 ppm, when the wind blew the gas towards the sensor. CVGHM noted that plumes rising from the lakes became lower and barely visible during 3 June-9 July, and that the “rustling sound” of water from near the dividing wall of craters I and II gradually faded away. Based on visual observations, seismicity, and gas emissions, CVGHM lowered the Alert Level to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 12 July.

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


5 June-11 June 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

CVGHM reported that on 3 June the water in Kelimutu’s Crater II (Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai Crater) turned from blue to a light brown color, “smoke” rose 50 m above the crater, “rustling water sounds” were heard near the wall of Crater I (Tiwu Ata Polo), and a sharp sulfur odor was noted. That evening a weak sulfur odor was reported in Pemo (3 km). Plants within 2 km S and SE appeared to have wilted.

Based on seismicity from 20 May-2 June and visual observations on 3 June, CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and warned the public not to approach the craters within a radius of 2 km and to avoid river valleys.

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.

04/1986 (SEAN 11:04) Gas emission from crater lake; felt earthquake

11/1989 (SEAN 14:11) Degassing from one of three crater lakes and flank fumaroles

06/1993 (BGVN 20:06) Increased seismicity for three months

06/1995 (BGVN 20:06) Minor bubbling in very acidic crater lake

06/2013 (BGVN 38:06) Crater water boils; diffuse, white plume increases to 50 m




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


April 1986 (SEAN 11:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Gas emission from crater lake; felt earthquake

". . . signs of unrest from the Tiwu Nua Muri crater . . . consisted of increased gas bubbling from the crater lake beginning on 27 April and a felt earthquake on 28 April."

Information Contacts: Olas, Suratman, Suparto, Kaswanda, and A. Sudradjat, VSI.


November 1989 (SEAN 14:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Degassing from one of three crater lakes and flank fumaroles

In November, moderate degassing with a weak sulfur odor occurred from the the E crater's Tiwu Ata Polo, reddish in 1986 and dark green in 1989. No degassing was evident from the light green Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai in the central crater. A small amount of sulfur was deposited around the lakeshore. In the W crater, Tiwu Ata Mbupu, dark brown in May, was greenish in November. No degassing or other activity was evident. Fumaroles on the upper flanks had temperatures of [96-97°C] in 21°C air. An earthquake was felt at MM II on 28 June at 2255. November seismicity included [three] A-type and [two] B-type events, plus [23] local and [37] distant tectonic earthquakes.

Information Contacts: VSI.


June 1993 (BGVN 20:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Increased seismicity for three months

[Seismicity rose during February-April 1993, with 318 deep and 196 shallow earthquakes, but declined in June (VSI, 1993a).] (originally in 20:06)

Reference. Volcanological Survey of Indonesia, 1993a, Kelimutu Volcano: Journal of Volcanic Activity in Indonesia, v. 1:1/2, p. 14.

Information Contacts: VSI.


June 1995 (BGVN 20:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Minor bubbling in very acidic crater lake

Between 15 and 19 May 1995 a search was conducted for the body of a missing Dutch tourist who had fallen into one of Kelimutu's three crater lakes (figures 1, 2, and 3). During the search of the turquoise-blue Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai lake, ~600 x 380 m in size and located 100-150 m below the crater rim, pH measured by litmus-paper was 0.5. Access to the crater lake was achieved by rope-aided descent, but rocks on the crater wall were very loose and rockfalls were frequent. A portable boat was used to tow a dredging net to comb the 3-6 m depth range of the entire lake. The water temperature was 37°C, ~8° cooler than the air. A film of yellow sulfur (~30 x 150 m) floated on the lake's surface. The searchers breathed bottled oxygen because of the high levels of SO2 in the air, which measured 5 ppm. On 18 May "little bubbles or very small fountains" were observed within the lake. Although the body was not recovered, the search was terminated on 19 May.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Map of the summit area of Kelimutu showing the three crater lakes and the location of the volcano observatory.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 2. Kelimutu summit area in mid-May 1995, view is to the SE. The turquoise-green Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai crater lake is in the foreground (~600 x 380 m) with the darker-colored Tiwu Ata Polo crater lake behind it to the right. Photograph courtesy of Ton Biesemat, Outdoor Magazine.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 3. Crater lakes at Kelimutu, mid-May 1995. View is approximately WSW looking along the heavily altered shared crater rim between the turquoise-green Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh lake (right) and the dark Tiwu Ata Polo lake (left). Photograph courtesy of Ton Biesemat, Outdoor Magazine.

Further Reference. Outdoor Magazine, Bergingsactie op een actieve vulkaan, De Kelimutu Zwijgt, 3e jaargang:4, July 1995, p. 40-45 (in Dutch, with 14 photos).

Information Contacts: Ton Biesemaat, Outdoor Magazine, Netherlands; VSI; AP; UPI.


June 2013 (BGVN 38:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Crater water boils; diffuse, white plume increases to 50 m

This volcano is well known for three summit crater lakes, each a different color. We last reported minor bubbling in a crater lake Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai lake in 1995 (BGVN 20:06). Between 15 and 19 May 1995, rescuers searched for the body of a Dutch tourist who had fallen into the crater lake but they did not find it.

2013 activity.The Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) reported that on 6, 10, and 12 June 2013, and during 14 June-9 July 2013, the color of the water in Kelimutu's Crater II (Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai Crater) was bluish white. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 50 m above the lake's surface and in some areas the water appeared or sounded like it was boiling. A sulfur odor was also reported. The water in Crater I (Tiwu Ata Polo) was light green and churned, and the water in Crater III (Tiwu Ata Mbupu) was mossy green.

On 3 June 2013, a change was observed in the color of the lake water in Crater II, going from blue to a café au lait (light tan), accompanied by white smoke under weak to medium pressure, rising 50 meters above the surface of the lake. From the southern side of Crater II a bubbling sound of boiling was heard near the wall separating Crater I from Crater II. The smell of sulphur gas was quite sharp in the vicinity of the crater and at nighttime a weak to medium smell of this gas could be discerned in Pemo Village which is 3 kms from the peak of Kelimutu. On 4 June 2013 at 1400 hours local time the status of Kelimutu was upgraded from Alert Level 1 (Normal) to Alert Level 2 (Waspada).

On 6 June 2013 water in Crater II was a bluish white (like a salty egg), with sparse to medium white smoke under weak to strong pressure extending up 10-35 meters above the lake surface. A weak to strong bubbling sound of boiling water was heard on the southern side of the crater. A medium to sharp smell of sulphurous gas was evident as was the withering vegetation.

On 10 June 2013 water in Crater II was still a bluish white with medium to dense white smoke extending up 40-50 m above the lake surface. A bubbling sound of boiling water could be heard on the southern side of the crater. A medium smell of sulphurous gases was discernible.

On 12 June 2013, smoke rising from the surface of the lake extended to only about 10-30 meters above the lip of the crater. There was a rather acrid smell of sulphurous fumes. Eruptive and hot air noises were audible two times and the water in the crater lake still appeared to be boiling.

From 14 June to 9 July 2013, water in Crater II visually still appeared bluish white with sparse white smoke rising from the surface of the lake about 2-10 meters into the atmosphere (dominant height was not observed). There was a weak to medium (with weak dominating) smell of sulphurous gases. At one point bubbling water was noticeable but it was clearly under weak pressure. Water from Crater III was calm and moss-green in color.

During 22-29 June 2013 sulfur dioxide concentrations in Crater II were occasionally 2.8 ppm, when the wind blew the gas towards the sensor. CVGHM noted that plumes rising from the lakes became lower and barely visible during 3 June-9 July, and that the hissing or "rustling sound" of water from near the dividing wall of craters I and II had gradually faded away. Based on visual observations, seismicity, and gas emissions, CVGHM lowered the Alert Level to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 12 July (figure 4).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 4. Kelimutu has three summit crater lakes seen in this photo. The lake Tiwi Ata Mbupu (left) is commonly blue. Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai and Tiwu Ata Polo, which share a common crater wall, are typically green and red-colored, respectively. Photo courtesy of https://www.tripping.com. Posted 1 June 2013.

During 13 - 18 June 2013, local tectonic quakes peaked at 139 before undergoing a decrease as of 17 June 2013. Shallow (VB) and deep (VA) volcanic earthquakes occurred intensely each day, reaching a a peak of 13 shallow volcanic quakes 19-24 June 2013 and then tended to decline (figure 5). Deep volcanic quakes peaked at 14 during 1-6 July 2013 and then subsided.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 5. A plot of seismicity at Kelimutu during 1 June 2013 through 11 July 2013. Courtesy of CVGHM.

No thermal alerts were recorded by MODVOLC for the past twelve months beginning in mid-July 2012.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 6. First photo (A) is Tiwu Ata Polo Lake (water color change from red to green), second photo (B) is between Tiwu Ata Polo Lake and Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Fai Lake, and third photo (C) is Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Fai Lake (water color change from green to white). Pictures taken on 6 June 2013 by Kristianto.

Information Contacts: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); and Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) MODVOLC Thermal System, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Univ. of Hawai'i, 2525 Correa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA (URL: http;//hotspot.higp.hawaii.edu/).

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 3 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1968 Jun 3 - 1968 Jul 29 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Tiwu Nua Muri
1968 Jun 3 - 1968 Jul 29 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Tiwu Nua Muri

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1968 Jun 3    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1995 May 15    - - - - Fatalities

1938 May - 1938 Jun Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1938 May - 1938 Jun Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
1938 May    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1865 ± 5 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1865 ± 5 years - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
1865 ± 5 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Kelimutu.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Kelimutu.

Photo Gallery

The two crater lakes of Kelimutu volcano on Indonesia's Flores Island are seen in this aerial view from the SW. Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) on the left and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) are separated by a narrow crater wall about 35 m high. Phreatic eruptions have occurred from Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1986 (U.S. Geological Survey).
Kelimutu, a small volcano on Flores Island, is noted for its three crater lakes of different colors. This aerial view from the SW shows Tiwu Ata Mbupu at the lower left, and the two craters of Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Taiand Tiwu and Ata Polo at the upper right. Water color varies periodically with variations of blue, green, and red. Phreatic eruptions have occurred from the middle lake in historical time.

Photo by Tom Casadevall (U.S. Geological Survey).
The SE-most pair of Kelimutu's crater lakes, Tiwu Ata Polo and Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai, are seen here in an aerial view from the SE. A light-colored area of upwelling can be seen in the upper lake and this also occurs in the lower one. All three lakes are close to saturation with gypsum/anhydrite, contributing to color variations.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, (U.S. Geological Survey).
The summit of Kelimutu volcano is elongated 2 km in a NNW-ESE direction, and contains three crater lakes of different colors that are one of the most popular tourist destinations on Flores Island. This view from the north shows the three crater lakes with Keli Bara cone in the background. Phreatic explosions have occurred from the middle lake in historical time.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1971.
Tiwu Ata Mbupu is the NW-most of three craters on Kelimutu. It is 850 x 600 m wide and contains a 67-m-deep crater lake. The shoreline of the lake is coated with red/yellow minerals and gypsum crystals. Lake color tends to vary seasonally.

Photo by L.D. Reksowirogo, 1972 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
The walls of Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai, the middle of Kelimutu's three crater lakes, expose bedded hydrothermally altered rocks. Tiwu Ata Polo, the darker-colored crater lake to the SE, is visible beyond the far wall. Constant upwelling occurs at these two lakes, probably as a result of subaqueous fumaroles, directing floating sulfur in Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai toward the crater walls.

Photo by L.D. Reksowirogo, 1972 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
The summit of Kelimutu volcano is elongated 2-3 km in a WNW-ESE direction and contains three crater lakes. A trail ascending the eastern wall of the NW-most cone leads to Tiwu Ata Mbupu crater lake.

Photo by L.D. Reksowirogo, 1972 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
A plume rises from a fumarole on the crater wall of light-colored Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai lake. A sharp ridge separates the crater lake from the dark-colored Tiwu Alta Polo lake (right), the easternmost of the two craters.

Photo by E. Weissenborn (published in Kemmerling 1929, "Vulkanen van Flores," courtesy of Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
GVP Map Holdings

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. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

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

External Sites