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Banda Api

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Volcanic Region
  • Landform | Volc Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  • 4.523°S
  • 129.881°E

  • 596 m
    1,955 ft

  • 265090
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Weekly Report: 20 November-26 November 2024 Citation IconCite this Report

According to a news report the coordinator for the Banda Api observation post stated that the climbing route on the volcano was closed on 18 November due to increased seismicity. The coordinator noted that during 1 August-17 November there were 11 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 541 deep volcanic earthquakes, and 46 local and 250 distant tectonic earthquakes, respectively; three of the events were felt. The average number of earthquakes per day was between 13 and 30 events, though the average was as high as 40 per day. Though the volcano was sometimes obscured by weather conditions, diffuse white plumes were observed rising 20-30 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (the second lowest level on a four-level scale) and the public was advised to stay 1 km away from the summit.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Antara News


Most Recent Bulletin Report: July 1989 (SEAN 14:07) Citation IconCite this Report

Weak white fumes from summit, N, and S craters

By July 1989, the volcano's activity approached background level. White weak fumes reached 25-35 m above the summit crater and 5-10 m above the N and S craters during the last week in July. Three volcanic A-type, 49 volcanic B-type, one degassing, and 165 tectonic earthquakes were recorded.

Information Contacts: VSI.

Weekly Reports - Index


2024: November
2017: April


20 November-26 November 2024 Citation IconCite this Report

According to a news report the coordinator for the Banda Api observation post stated that the climbing route on the volcano was closed on 18 November due to increased seismicity. The coordinator noted that during 1 August-17 November there were 11 shallow volcanic earthquakes, 541 deep volcanic earthquakes, and 46 local and 250 distant tectonic earthquakes, respectively; three of the events were felt. The average number of earthquakes per day was between 13 and 30 events, though the average was as high as 40 per day. Though the volcano was sometimes obscured by weather conditions, diffuse white plumes were observed rising 20-30 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (the second lowest level on a four-level scale) and the public was advised to stay 1 km away from the summit.

Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM); Antara News


5 April-11 April 2017 Citation IconCite this Report

PVMBG reported that seismicity at Banda Api had been increasing since the beginning of March, though during 1-4 April seismic patterns were similar to those recorded before an eruption in 1988. The Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4); visitors and residents were warned not to approach Banda Api within a 1-km radius of the summit area.

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.

06/1987 (SEAN 12:06) Small plume observed after large earthquake

08/1987 (SEAN 12:08) Local seismicity but no change in volcanic activity

04/1988 (SEAN 13:04) Explosions and lava flow; 8,000 evacuated

05/1988 (SEAN 13:05) Explosions and lava flows from several vents; three killed, 700 evacuated from two islands

06/1988 (SEAN 13:06) Steaming and seismicity; many evacuees return

08/1988 (SEAN 13:08) Satellite data suggest May cloud to >16 km

07/1989 (SEAN 14:07) Weak white fumes from summit, N, and S craters




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


June 1987 (SEAN 12:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Small plume observed after large earthquake

A M 6.7 tectonic earthquake occurred 150 km SE of Banda Api on 17 June (preliminary epicenter 5.58°S, 130.88°E). Activity consisting of a white plume, reaching 100 m above Banda Api's crater, was reportedly observed after the earthquake. However, photographs taken during a climb to the crater 24-26 April showed no plume or gas emission.

Information Contacts: VSI.


August 1987 (SEAN 12:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Local seismicity but no change in volcanic activity

On 8 September, eight earthquakes were recorded at the Banda Api observatory post, the first seismic activity there since the 17 June regional earthquake. No change in the activity of the volcano was noted.

Information Contacts: VSI.


April 1988 (SEAN 13:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Explosions and lava flow; 8,000 evacuated

Banda Api erupted on 9 May at 0630, ejecting a 3-km-high column of gas and tephra that included large incandescent blocks. Explosions continued through 10 May, accompanied by the production of a single lava flow [but see 13:5] that advanced eastward from the summit toward nearby Neira Island. The explosions originated from a line of five craters that probably follow a N-S fissure [but see 13:6] crossing the summit. [The eruption was preceded by several days of increasing seismicity, as follows (date, recorded/felt): 2 May, 11/3; 3 May, 1/0; 4 May, 51/11; 5 May, 110,11; and 6 May, 75/11.] On 8-10 May, earthquakes were felt every few minutes at the village of Neira, ~ 2 km E of the summit.

About 1,800 residents of the island have been evacuated to Neira Island and to the larger Lontar Island to the south. More than 5,000 of Neira city's ~ 6,000 inhabitants have also been evacuated to other locations on Neira and to Lontar Island. VSI operates an observation post at Neira city, equipped with a radio and a seismometer. VSI observers left from headquarters for Banda Api on 10 May.

Information Contacts: VSI.


May 1988 (SEAN 13:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Explosions and lava flows from several vents; three killed, 700 evacuated from two islands

Banda Api began to erupt on 9 May at 0630. Two simultaneous eruption columns rose 3-5 km, and three lava flows were extruded. Explosions and lava production continued through the day from craters on the N and S flanks, 1.2 km apart. The activity was more explosive on the S flank than on the N flank. At about 1130, the vertical eruption column from the S vent was briefly deflected to the S, thereby blasting or spraying tephra over a wide area of the western tip of Lontar Island (<1 km from the S end of Gunung Api Island). The duration of the directed blast was less than a minute, and eyewitnesses report that "the entire eruption column bent sideways to the S." This deflection was probably caused by slope failure above the vent. Material slumped into the vent and temporarily deflected the eruption column to the S.

A small volume of lava was erupted on the SSW flank at Pintu Kecil (mainly from a vent at 150-200 m elevation) and entered the sea along the S coast. About 50 m E of this flow, a small fissure opened at the coastline and produced a phreatomagmatic deposit of several hundred cubic meters. This deposit was being rapidly eroded when examined on 17 May. Two large lava flows emerged from two fissure craters ~ 400 m apart on the N and NW flanks (at Batu Angus and Pasir Besar). The lower crater was at ~ 150 m elevation, and the upper crater at ~ 200-250 m elevation. The flow at Batu Angus had entered the sea by 1100 on 9 May and continued through 15 May, although most of the volume had already entered by 10 May. The Pasir Besar flow reached the sea on 9 May. A graben developed between the two N-flank vents, causing the two craters to coalesce, probably by late in the day on 9 May. At 2300 on 9 May, activity at the S crater died, and several hours later activity at the N crater also declined.

On 10 May, the principal activity was from the summit crater, with minor lava outflow continuing from the N crater. Explosions continued from the summit crater 10-15 May but at gradually diminishing levels of activity. By 16 May, lava on the N side (Batu Angus) had ceased flowing, although occasional phreatic explosions were occurring where lava had covered the littoral zone and entered the sea. All craters were quiet by 18 May.

The first few minutes of the eruption produced a pumice lapilli of light gray to beige color with prominent dark euhedral phenocrysts of pyroxene. Material erupted later in the day was more scoriaceous and darker in color. Samples of the three 9 May lava flows are similar in hand specimen; dark gray to greasy black plagioclase pyroxene (hypersthene?) phyric lavas. No olivine has been positively identified in hand specimen.

Through 27 May, > 7,000 inhabitants from Gunung Api, Neira, and Lontar Islands have been evacuated to Ambon Island, 200 km NW of Banda Api. Three people were killed during the eruption, two in a boat mishap while evacuating the island.

Information Contacts: VSI.


June 1988 (SEAN 13:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Steaming and seismicity; many evacuees return

The violent ash explosions and vigorous lava production that began 9 May had subsided by mid-May (13:05). Activity had been concentrated at two vents on the N flank and at numerous vents on the S flank, along a fissure oriented NNE-SSW. Most of the 9.4 x 106 m3 of lava was produced during the first 12-18 hours of the 9-15 May eruption. The flows in order of decreasing volume are: NW flank (Pasir Besar), N flank (Batu Angus), and the two S-flank flows. A persistent white steam plume rose 50 m above the summit vent during June. Approximately eight A-type and eight B-type earthquakes were recorded daily. VSI installed three additional seismometers, including two on Gunung Api.

Through May, a total of 7,000 residents had remained evacuated. On 13 June, VSI reassessed the volcanic activity and recommended that residents return to neighboring Banda Neira and Lontar islands. The 1,800 residents of Pulau Gunung Api remained evacuated to Ambon, Ceram, and Lontar Islands.

Further Reference. Casadevall, T., Pardyanto, L., Abas, H., and Tulus, 1989, The 1988 eruption of Banda Api volcano, Maluku, Indonesia: Geologi Indonesia, v. 12, n. 1, p. 603-635.

Information Contacts: VSI.


August 1988 (SEAN 13:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Satellite data suggest May cloud to >16 km

Analysis of imagery from Japan's GMS satellite suggested that the eruption clouds reached much higher altitudes than indicated by ground observations. Coldest surface temperatures of eruption clouds measured by the JMA were -78, -79, and -67°C on 29 May at 0700, 0800, and 1100 respectively, corresponding to altitudes of 16-16.5 km above sea level (figure 06ban01f). Aerosol layers were detected at similar altitudes 1-2 months later by lidar in Hawaii and Japan. At Mauna Loa, Hawaii, very small fresh-looking layers were centered at 15.9 and 17.7 km altitude (just above the tropopause) in June, and a thin layer was evident over Fukuoka, Japan at 15.4 km, about 1 km below the tropopause, in early July (see Atmospheric Effects in SEAN 13:06).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Temperature gradients in the eruption cloud from Banda Api (solid triangle) measured from GMS infrared images returned on 29 May at 0700, 0800, and 1100. Courtesy of Y. Sawada.

Activity at Banda Api declined toward more normal inter-eruptive levels during August. Low-pressure fumes reached 25-50 m above the summit. A daily average of three tectonic and three volcanic events were recorded by seismographs.

Information Contacts: Y. Sawada, JMA; VSI.


July 1989 (SEAN 14:07) Citation IconCite this Report

Weak white fumes from summit, N, and S craters

By July 1989, the volcano's activity approached background level. White weak fumes reached 25-35 m above the summit crater and 5-10 m above the N and S craters during the last week in July. Three volcanic A-type, 49 volcanic B-type, one degassing, and 165 tectonic earthquakes were recorded.

Information Contacts: VSI.

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 23 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1988 May 9 - 1988 May 17 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Summit, north and south flanks
1988 May 9 - 1988 May 17 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 19 Events for Episode 1 at Summit, north and south flanks

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor) Before eruption.
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Eruption cloud
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) Before.
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
   - - - -    - - - - Evacuations
1988 May 9    - - - - Fatalities
1988 May 9    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1902 Mar 20 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1902 Mar 20 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Audible Sounds

1901 May 18 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Summit and north flank
1901 May 18 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Summit and north flank

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) Before.
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1901 May 18    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1890 Nov 23 - 1890 Nov 23 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1890 Nov 23 - 1890 Nov 23 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) Time and Type Unknown.
1890 Nov 23    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1855 Dec 29 - 1855 Dec 30 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1855 Dec 29 - 1855 Dec 30 Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Volcanic "smoke"
   - - - -    - - - - Audible Sounds

[ 1835 Oct ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1835 Oct - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

1825 (?) - 1831 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption
1825 (?) - 1831 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1825
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1824 Apr 22 - 1824 Jun 28 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption North side
1824 Apr 22 - 1824 Jun 28 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at North side

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Summit.
1824 Apr 22    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1820 Jun 11 - 1820 Aug 8 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Summit, south and NNW flanks
1820 Jun 11 - 1820 Aug 8 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at Summit, south and NNW flanks

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
   - - - -    - - - - Evacuations
1820    - - - - Fatalities
1820 Jun 11    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1816 Oct 11 - 1816 Dec Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1816 Oct 11 - 1816 Dec Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1816 Oct 11    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1778 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1778 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
1778    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1775 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1775 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
1775    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1773 Feb 6 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1773 Feb 6 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1773 Feb 6    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1765 Apr 19 - 1766 Oct Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1765 Apr 19 - 1766 Oct Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1765 Apr 19    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1762 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1762 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1762    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1749 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1749 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1749    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1722 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1722 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1722    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1712 May - 1712 Dec Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption
1712 May - 1712 Dec Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1712 May    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1690 - 1696 May 22 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1690 - 1696 May 22 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1690    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1694 Nov 30    - - - - Fatalities
1694 Nov 30    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1683 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1683 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1683    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1635 Nov 18 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 1 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption
1635 Nov 18 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
1635 Nov 18    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1632 Dec 16 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1632 Dec 16 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) Time and Type Unknown.
1632 Dec 16    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1615 Mar 16 - 1615 Apr (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1615 Mar 16 - 1615 Apr (?) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 8 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
   - - - -    - - - - Fauna Kill Aquatic.
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1615    - - - - Fatalities
1615 Mar 16    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1614 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption
1614 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

1609 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1609 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1609    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1598 - 1602 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1598 - 1602 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1598
(?)
   - - - - Fatalities
1598    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1586 Apr 17 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption
1586 Apr 17 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Flames and black or gray smoke ejected on 17 April 1586 (Sapper, 1917).

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1586 Apr 17    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Banda Api.

Emission History

There is data available for 1 emission periods. Expand each entry for additional details.


Emissions during 1988 May 09 - 1988 May 09 [250 kt SO2 at 16 km altitude]

Start Date: 1988 May 09 Stop Date: 1988 May 09 Method: Satellite (Nimbus-7 TOMS)
SO2 Altitude Min: 16 km SO2 Altitude Max: 16 km Total SO2 Mass: 250 kt

Data Details

Date Start Date End Assumed SO2 Altitude SO2 Algorithm SO2 Mass
19880509 16.0 250.000
Photo Gallery

This 1726 lithograph shows an eruption plume from the summit of Banda Api, possibly from the last previous eruption, which took place in 1722. This sketch shows sailing ships plying the strait between the islands of Lonthur and Neira in the historic Banda Islands, the original Spice Islands of the Dutch East Indies.

From the collection of Maurice and Katia Krafft.
Gunung Api volcano is seen here in an aerial view from the south on May 19, 1988. The narrow peninsula at the left-center is the terminous of a still-steaming lava flow that was erupted from a vent low on the SW flank beginning on May 9. Another flow erupted from a vent at about 150 m elevation on the SW flank also reached the sea immediately to the west. The May 9 vents were located along an arcuate N-SSW-trending fissure that cut across the summit of the volcano.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
The arcuate islands of Banda Neira and Lonthor, seen here looking E from the summit of Indonesia's Banda Api volcano, are remnants of two largely-submarine calderas that preceded the construction of the Banda Api stratovolcano. The outer caldera has a diameter of 7 km and the nested inner caldera is 3 km wide. Neira, the largest town in the Banda Islands, occupies the southern tip of Banda Neira Island.

Photo courtesy Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
This dramatic photo taken from the SE on May 9, 1988, shows ash-rich eruption plumes rising from vents on the north and south sides of the island. The blue dots are a result of film damage. The eruption occurred from a 3-km-long arcuate fissure that cut the island from the south coast to the 200-m elevation on the north flank. The eruption plume reached a maximum height of 16.5 km. Lava flows reached the north, NW, and south coasts, destroying two villages.

Photo by I. Yoshida, 1988 (courtesy of Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
A small lava flow from a vent low on the south flank of Gunung Api flowed into the sea, forming a narrow peninsula. The May 9, 1988 lava flow was erupted from a 100-m-long fissure that produced a tuff cone over the vent. Minor submarine activity occurred at the lower end of the fissure. The western tip of Bantur Island appears in the background.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
The May 1988 north-flank lava flows reached the sea at two locations. The flows originated from a fissure that can be seen descending diagonally to the left from the summit. The Pasir Besar lava flow was erupted from a vent at about 300-350 m elevation and reached the sea along almost the full length of Pasir Besar bay at the right-center. The Batu Angus lava flow originated from a vent at 200 m elevation and reached the sea at the left-center after overrunning houses in the villages of Kalobi and Batu Angus.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
A 2.6-m-thick section at the airport on Neira Island (4.5 km from Banda Api volcano) shows 14 different tephra layers. The uppermost layer originated during an eruption in 1820, when the village was evacuated due to heavy ashfall. The section shows several layers of coarser, lighter-colored pumice and lapilli produced during more vigorous plinian eruptions than occurred in 1988.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
The roof of this house at Pasir Besar on the NW coast of Gunung Api Island collapsed as a result of the loading of ash and the impact of ballistic bombs from the May 9, 1988 eruption of Banda Api volcano. Tephra from the eruption was distributed primarily to the west. The barren slope in the background of this May 19 photo is the surface of the 1988 Pasir Besar lava flow, which descended to the sea from a vent on the northern flank.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
Vigorous explosive eruptions continue from Banda Api volcano at dusk on May 9, 1988. Incandescent lava fountains rise above vents on the northern and southern flanks and the eruption column reaches a height of about 5 km. Activity began at about 6:30 that morning from an eruptive fissure that cut across the volcano. Neira Island is at the right and the western tip of Lonthur Island at the left in this view from the ENE.

Photo by Shoji and Taeko Ozawa, 1988, courtesy Tom Casadevall (U.S. Geological Survey).
Banda Api volcano is seen here from the SW prior to a major eruption in 1988. The ridge in the right background is Neira Island; at the bottom right is the western tip of Lonthur Island. Both islands are remnants of calderas inside which the conical Gunung Api stratovolcano was constructed. One of many peaks named Gunung Api ("Fire Mountain") in Indonesia, Banda Api is the most active volcano of the Banda arc.

Photo courtesy Tom Casadevall (U.S. Geological Survey).
Vegetation in the foreground and on the western tip of Lonthur Island in the background was destroyed and scorched by a directed blast produced by temporary deflection of the vertical plinian eruption column on May 9, 1988. Witnesses reported that at 11:30 am "the entire eruption column bent sidways towards the south," probably as a result of slumping of the uphill slope onto the vent. About 2 cm of tephra was deposited on Lonthur Island, but the village of Lonthur (left) was spared.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
The 640-m-high symmetrical volcano of Banda Api, the most active of a chain of volcanoes in Indonesia's Banda Sea, forms a small 3-km-wide island within a largely submerged 7-km-wide caldera. This May 19, 1988, view from the south shows vegetation damage from the 1988 eruption and the southern half of a prominent arcuate fissure that extended from the south coast through the summit to 200 m above the north coast. The still-steaming narrow black lava flow entering the sea to the left of center is one of four erupted in 1988.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
At the onset of the eruption of Banda Api on 9 May 1988, residents of Neira moved to the west side of the island to begin evacuations. Residents of nearby Gunung Api Island, where the eruption occurred, had been evacuated over the previous two days. As many as 10,000 people were evacuated during the eruption; the only people to lose their lives were four who remained in the evacuation zone.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
Evacuees on the island of Neira board an Indonesian Navy ship on 20 May 1988, bound for the island of Sulawesi. About 10,000 people of a population of 16,000 living in the Banda Islands were evacuated during the 1988 eruption. During the two days prior to the start of the eruption on the morning of 9 May, about 1800 people on Gunung Api Island (the site of the eruption) evacuated to Neira and Lonthor Islands. On the 9th, people began moving from Neira Island to Lonthur and then to more distant locations. The evacuation remained in effect until 13 June.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
A vigorous plinian eruption column, seen from the ENE side during the afternoon of May 9, rises above an arcuate fissure cutting both sides of Banda Api volcano. The plume reached a maximum height of 16.5 km, depositing blocks, pumice, and scoria primarily to the west.

Photo by Shoji and Taeko Ozawa, 1988; courtesy of Tom Casadevall (U.S. Geological Survey).
An eruption of Indonesia's Banda Api volcano, seen here on 10 May 1988, took place from a N-SSW-trending fissure that cut across the island. Both explosive activity and lava effusion occurred along the fissure. Billowing, ash-rich eruption plumes rose from vents along the N end of the fissure. Minor lava fountaining can be seen here at the lower-center, near the N coast. White steam marks the entry of the lava flow into the sea after overrunning two villages.

Photo by Willem Rohi, 1988 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Fissures of vents no. 1 (bottom) and 3 (upper right) cut the northern flank of Banda Api volcano. Ash mantles vegetation adjacent to the fissures, which are about 15-20 m wide at this location. These vents, which began erupting on May 9, 1988, also fed two large lava flows that reached the sea along the northern and NW coasts. Neira Island appears in the background in this May 21, 1988 photo.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
This May 19, 1988, view from the NE shows a still-steaming black lava flow entering the sea along the north coast, partially overrunning the village of Batu Angus. The lava flow originated from a vent at 200 m on the north flank on May 9, and reached the sea the same day. A second steaming lava flow, the Pasir Besar flow, which originated from a vent at 300-350 m elevation, can be seen reaching the NW coast at the center of the photo. The portion of Batu Angus village surrounded by the lava flow sits on an earlier lava flow erupted in 1901.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey).
On May 9, 1988, ash columns rise from four eruptive vents along a fissure on the southern flank of Banda Api volcano, observed here from the village of Neira, located across a narrow strait 4.5 km east of the eruptive fissure. An arcuate N-SSW-trending eruptive fissure cut almost entirely across Gunung Api Island during the first day of the eruption and produced both vigorous explosive activity and lava flows. Winds distributed ashfall primarily to west, away from Neira Island.

Photo by Willem Rohi, 1988 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

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

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