Batu Tara Volcano
Updated: Nov 10, 2025 07:26 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Sunda Islands, Indonesia, -7.79°S / 123.58°E 
Summit height: 748 m / 2,454 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 27 May 2022 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
Strombolian activity from Batu Tara volcano - the "Stromboli" of the Flores Sea
Batu Tara is a small island volcano 50 km north of Lembata Island in the Flores Sea. It is frequently active, producing spectacular strombolian explosions with abundant incandescent bombs and ash plumes rising to hundreds or few kilometers elevation.
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Batu Tara volcano eruptions: 2007-2011 (Oct), 2006, 1852
Latest nearby earthquakes
Background
Batu Tara island is the top of a larger stratovolcano, its base reaching 3000 meters below sea level. It has a large central summit crater of 900 x 700 meters diameter open to the east.The scar on its eastern side is a flank collapse feature similar to the Sciara del Fuoco of Italy's Stromboli volcano. Vegetation covers the flanks of Batu Tara to within 50 m of the 748-m-high summit.
Batu Tara lies on young and thin oceanic crust north of the main volcanic Sunda-Banda Arc at the boundary of the collision of the north moving Australian with the Sunda tectonic plate. Geochemically, it is noted its potassic leucite-bearing basanitic and tephritic rocks.
Eruptions from Batu Tara
Until 2006, the only confirmed historical eruption from Batu Tara were during 1847-52, which produced explosions with volcanic bombs and a lava flow.
On July 1st, 2006, Batu Tara was observed erupting again. An ash plume rose to 5000 ft (ca 2 km). Since then, it has been erupting frequently. Most eruptions were strombolian or vulcanian type, with explosions producing ash plumes of 1-2 km, similar to Anak Krakatau's activity.
In March 2007, a phase of stronger eruptions promted the evacuation of 15000 people from Lembata Island nearby.
Batu Tara Volcano Photos
A stronger eruption sends many bombs against and over the vertical eastern crater wall. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
A strong strombolian eruption from Batu Tara in the evening of 25 Nov 2012. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Large explosion with many blocks thrown to the west (right) and outside the crater. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Strombolian activity from the crater of Batu Tara volcano, Indonesia (Photo: jorge)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Batu Tara volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Batu Tara has had at least 2 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Batu Tara volcano.
Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Batu Tara volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Batu Tara volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Batu Tara can be found on the news page of Batu Tara volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
?? | Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs. | ? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 1? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
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
Batu Tara Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Batu Tara volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Batu Tara occurred during 2007 - 2015.
+How often does Batu Tara volcano erupt?
Since 1847, Batu Tara volcano has had at least 2 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 89 years.
Many eruptions of Batu Tara have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 15 out of 178 years until now. In other words, Batu Tara has been active at least one in 11.9 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Batu Tara is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Batu Tara volcano at present?
Batu Tara volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 9 eruptions, and been active during 9 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Batu Tara has been in eruption one in 14 years on average. The last eruption was from 2007 until 2015 and ended 10 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Batu Tara volcano?
The largest eruption of Batu Tara volcano in historic times occurred during 2007 - 2015. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Batu Tara 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).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Batu Tara volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Batu Tara volcano (scale of few kilometers)
