Awu Volcano

Updated: Sep 9, 2025 08:55 GMT - refresh

Stratovolcano

Sulawesi & Sangihe Islands (Indonesia), 3.67°N / 125.5°E

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Summit height: 1320 m (4,331 ft)

Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)

Last update: 6 Sep 2025 (Smithsonian Daily Volcanic Activity Report)

The massive Gunung Awu stratovolcano occupies the northern end of Great Sangihe Island, the largest of the Sangihe arc. Deep valleys that form passageways for lahars dissect the flanks of the 1320-m-high volcano, which was constructed within a 4.5-km-wide caldera.

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Typical eruption style:

Highly explosive. Pyroclastic flows and lahars.

Awu volcano eruptions: 1640(?), 1646, 1699(?), 1711, 1812, 1856, 1875, 1883, 1885, 1892, 1893, 1913, 1921, 1922, 1930-31, 1966 (large sub-Plinian explosion), 1968(?), 1992, 2004

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Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location

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Background

Awu is one of Indonesia's deadliest volcanoes; powerful explosive eruptions in 1711, 1812, 1856, 1892, and 1966 produced devastating pyroclastic flows and lahars that caused more than 8000 cumulative fatalities during 5 eruptions (in 1711, 1812, 1856, 1892 and 1966).
Awu contained a summit crater lake that was 1 km wide and 172 m deep in 1922, but was largely ejected during the 1966 eruption.

The eruption in 2004 prompted the evacuation of 27,000 people, but the eruption eventually did not escalate into a major event.

Awu Volcano Photos

After hours of walking through endless lava desert, a patch of trees with their vibrant autumn colors is refreshening. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Crater Of Gunung Mahawu, Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Photo: Jay Ramji)

Lawu volcano, seen from the top of Merapi (Feb 2015) (image: Юлия Грубник) (Photo: ThomasH)

Gunung Mahawu And Surrounding Area, Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (Photo: Jay Ramji)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Awu volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Awu has had at least 16 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations. Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Awu volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Awu volcano since around 1000 AD. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Awu can be found on the news page of Awu volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2004 Jun 2 or before - Aug 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1992 Apr 7 ±9 d.	SE part of summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
?? 1968 Aug 16 ±15 d. - Sep 16 ±15 d.	Uncertain Eruption	2
1966 Aug 12 - Oct 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	4
1966 Aug 12 (eruption 1966 Aug 12 - Oct 16 ±15 d.)	Historical obs./docs.	4	39		Info
1966 Aug 12: 38 killed by pyroclastic flows and lahars, one person drowned while swimming to ship. Only 1 body was found, most were covered with rocks and hot pumice flows. 1,000 were injured by the impact of ejected fragments from the lava plug. 2 villages totally destroyed, 3 partly destroyed. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1930 Dec - 1931 Dec	Historical obs./docs.	2
1922 Jun 20 - Sep	Historical obs./docs.	?
1921 Feb - Oct 1 ±90 d.	Historical obs./docs.	?
1913 Mar 14	Historical obs./docs.	2
1913 Mar 14 (eruption 1913 Mar 14)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	2	138	moderate	Info
1913 Mar 14: Reference #2432: Eruptive Characteristics: Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption, Phreatic explosion(s). Reference #10475: 1913, March 14. Serious earthquake shocks are reported as having occurred--writes the Malay Mail's Sumatra correspondent, in corroboration of a previous telegram--on the islands of Sangi and Talaut, in the residency of Menado. They originated from the volcano, Sahondaroemano, which has been inactive for some time. During the eruptions a huge landslip occurred on Endong mountain The mass measured 150 m in length, 100 in breadth, and was about 3 m in thickness. The kampong at Lesabe, in the Menaloe country was completely engulfed and 117 people were buried alive. The full extent of the damage resulting it is impossible to estimate. A tidal wave, 15 m high, passed over the coast and wrought much havoc. The Government school at Tamaho has been demolished as has the Palace of Raja Toboekan at Emawira. The shocks were of from 4 to 5 min duration. The steamship Flamingo has been sent with assistance from Tomini and is dealing out rice allowances to the destitute native population. A warship is on its way to the scene of the disaster, as many reports are coming to hand of damage done in other small islands near at hand. The Resident of Pasoerlan telegraphs that a shock has been experienced in Kampong Pabras, Probollingo. Five houses were destroyed and two people were buried in the debris. It has not yet been ascertained if they are alive or not. Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #10475 The Straits Times (1913): Sumatra Town Engulfed. The Straits Times, 11 April 1913, page 10. Retrieved from link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1893	Historical obs./docs.	2
1892 Jun 7 - Jun 12 ?	Historical obs./docs.	3
1892 Jun 7 (eruption 1892 Jun 7 - Jun 12 ?)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	3	1,532	heavy	Info
1892 Jun 7: Reference #9675: Fatalities all on N coast attributed to pyroclastic flows and lahars; 10-12 villages totally destroyed. Sapper gives death toll as 1,000-1,500. Reference #414: As a result of the eruption, 1,532 people died on the island, or 2% of its population, since many huts collapsed under the weight of ejecta, while others were washed away by the streams. Reference #1686: Similar tsunamis at nearby Awu volcano, on 2 March 1856 and 7 June 1892, seem also to have been produced by nuees ardentes entering the sea. Reference #2432: Awu is one of Indonesia's deadliest volcanoes; powerful explosive eruptions in 1711, 1812, 1856, 1892, and 1966 produced devastating pyroclastic flows and lahars that caused more than 8000 cumulative fatalities. Cited references #414 Soloviev, S.L., and Ch.N. Go (1974): A catalogue of tsunamis on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean [dates include 173-1968. Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Nauka Publishing House, Moscow, 439 p. [Canadian Translation of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences no. 5077, 1984, translation available from Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A OS2, 447 p.] #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1667 Sapper, K. (1917): Katalog der Geschichtlichen Vulkanausbruche. Strasbourg: Karl J Trubner, 358 p #1686 Latter, J.H. (1981): Tsunamis of volcanic origin; summary of causes with particular reference to Krakatoa, 1883, Bulletin Volcanologique, Vol. 44, p. 467-490. #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1885 Aug 18	Historical obs./docs.	2
1883 Aug 25 - Aug 26	Historical obs./docs.	2
1875 Aug	Historical obs./docs.	2
1856 Mar 2 - Mar 17	Historical obs./docs.	3?
1856 Mar 2 (eruption 1856 Mar 2 - Mar 17)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	3	2,806	heavy	Info
1856 Mar 2: Reference #9675 1856, March 2. 2806 deaths. 8 villages partly destroyed. Reference #414 1856, March 2, between 19:00 and 20:00 [local time]. On Sangihe Is, after a sudden "unbearable" roar, the Awu Volcano began to erupt. Incandescent lava rushed down the slopes of the mountain with irresistible force, destroying everything in its path. Where the lava reached the shore, the sea water began to boil. Strong hot springs gushed up and the abundant surging boiling water destroyed and carried away everything that the fire had spared. The sea surged onto the shore cliffs as during an underwater earthquake, and with a terrifying noise, it flooded the coast and "snatched its victims from the fire." An hour later, thunderous blows were heard, shaking the earth. A black column of ash and stones was ejected from the peak of the mountain. The column rose to the "heavens" and fell in a rain of fire on the slopes of the volcano, which were lit up by the red hot lava. Total darkness fell, in which one could not make out the closest objects; it was interrupted from time to time by outbreaks of light. Large bombs fell to the earth. The settlements and field s not destroyed by the lava were buried under a layer of ash and rocks. The flows rushed down from the mountain, and, encountering obstacles, spread out in lakes, which then became a new source of destruction. All this took several hours. By midnight, all had quieted down, although the eruption began with new force the next noon. The ashfall continued all day and was so intensive that no light could penetrate, and almost total darkness set in. A hurricane southeastern wind blew since the beginning of the eruption, and the ashes were carried as far as Mindanao Island. Later the wind blew from the north. On March 17, there was a new eruption, in which fields and trees on the coast at Tabukan were destroyed. After this, the volcano quieted down, except that steam continuously rose from the numerous cracks and fractures. However, the lava flows were still so hot that one could not approach them. According to residents, the top of the volcano did not change noticeably in appearance. At the main village of the island, Tahuna, several people were injured and homes were destroyed during the fall of ash and stones. Obstacles in the form of hills made the lava flow deviate from the village and turn to the sea in another place. Along the flat slope between Tahuna and Kandhar, seven large lava flows descended to the sea, devastating this agricultural region. One of the flows passed through Kalongan village; only a few burned posts were left. Between Kalongan and Kandhar, a large area of the coast subsided below sea level. The mountain side had previously sloped gently to the very water line; after the eruption, it broke off as a steep wall about 60 m (200 feet) high. The settlement of Kandhar, protected by this "rib," suffered little: it was affected only by the fall of ashes and stones and the streams of hot water. In addition, before the eruption, the residents, fearing pirates, had hidden with their belongings in the thickets above the settlement, and did not suffer from the flooding. The devastation was even greater on the coast from Kandhar to the northern tip of the island. Two tongues of lava thrust far into the sea to previous bottom marks of several metres (fathoms). The number of victims was considerable: at Tahuna 722, at Kandhar 22, at Tabukan 2,039; total 2,806. For the most part, the people died in the gardens where they sought relief from the heat. Those who attempted to run, were overtaken by flows of lava and water, perished under collapsing trees, were suffocated or were burned in the ashfall and the fires. At Kalongan and Tariang, the residents who took refuge in their houses died in the debris. Finally, those who took to the sea shore "fell prey to vicious waves". Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1686 Latter, J.H. (1981): Tsunamis of volcanic origin; summary of causes with particular reference to Krakatoa, 1883, Bulletin Volcanologique, Vol. 44, p. 467-490. #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1812 Aug 6 - Aug 8	Historical obs./docs.	4?
1812 Aug 6 (eruption 1812 Aug 6 - Aug 8)	Historical obs./docs.	3	953		Info
1812 Aug 6: From the number of fatalities and the amount of damage it can be concluded that the eruption also included lahars and glowing clouds. Sapper gives death toll as 953. Kusumadinata-79 gives toll as hundreds killed, 3 wounded. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1651 Kusumadinata K (1979): Data Dasar Gunungapi Indonesia. Bandung: Volc Surv Indonesia, 820 p (in Indonesian) #1667 Sapper, K. (1917): Katalog der Geschichtlichen Vulkanausbruche. Strasbourg: Karl J Trubner, 358 p Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1711 Dec 10 - Dec 16	Historical obs./docs.	3
1711 Dec 11 (eruption 1711 Dec 10 - Dec 16)	Historical obs./docs.	3	3,000		Info
1711 Dec 11: About 3,000 killed. Sapper gives death toll as about 2030. Pyroclastic flows before morning of Dec 12 took around 3,000 lives, 2.030 of which were in the Kendhar area, 408 from Tarua, 70 from Kilongan, and the remainder from Talawid and Motane. (reference #9675) Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #1667 Sapper, K. (1917): Katalog der Geschichtlichen Vulkanausbruche. Strasbourg: Karl J Trubner, 358 p #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
?? 1699 AD	Uncertain Eruption	?
1646 ±5 y. AD	Historical obs./docs.	2?
?? 1640 AD Dec - 1641 Jan 4	Uncertain Eruption	3

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Awu Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Awu volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Awu occurred in 2004.

+How often does Awu volcano erupt?

Since 1646 AD, Awu volcano has had at least 16 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 23.7 years.

+How active is Awu volcano at present?

Awu volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 8 eruptions, and been active during 8 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Awu has been in eruption one in 15.8 years on average. The last eruption was in 2004 and ended 21 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Awu volcano?

The largest eruption of Awu volcano in historic times occurred in 1966. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

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Awu Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).