Dieng Volcano

Updated: Nov 10, 2025 06:32 GMT - refresh

Complex volcano

Central Java (Indonesia), -7.22°S / 109.9°E

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Summit height: 2565 m (8415 ft)

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

Last update: 1 Oct 2025 (Smithsonian Daily Volcanic Activity Report)

The Dieng volcanic complex forms a 6x14 km large highland plateau in Central Java west of Yogyakarta. It consists of overlapping volcanoes and a large caldera, lava domes, cones, and explosion craters many of which are filled by lakes.
It is known for its varied colorful volcanic scenery and hydrothermal activity, and a sacred area to the Javanese people; some of the oldest Hindu temples of Java are found here, dating back to the 8th century AD.

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News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: Explosive, mainly phreatic eruptions, intense geothermal activity
Dieng volcano eruptions: 2017, 2011, 2009, 2005, 1993, 1986, 1981, 1979, 1964, 1956, 1954, 1953, 1952 (?), 1944, 1943, 1939, 1928, 1883-84, 1847, 1826, 1825, 1786, 1776 (?), 1375

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
Oct 31, 03:51 pm (Jakarta)	3.2 10 km	10.8 km (6.7 mi) to the N	Java, Indonesia	Info

View recent quakes

Background

The Dieng volcanic complex was formed by at least two overlapping stratovolcanoes, Butak Petarangan and Prahu. The latter was destroyed and truncated by a caldera formation less than 10,000 years ago. About 20 small geologically younger craters, lava domes, cinder cones and explosion craters dot the area. Some of the craters are filled by warm acidic lakes, including: the craters of Bismo, Srojo, Binem, Pangonan, Merdodo, Pagerkandang, Nogosari, Petarangan, Telogo Dringo, Pakuwaja,Kendil, Kunir and Prambanan.
Lava flows cover much of the plateau, but none of them have erupted in historic time. Historic activity at Dieng consited in small phreatic eruptions. Emissiong of toxic volcanic gas has caused fatalities and remains a hazard at several craters. There have been at least 18 historic eruptions and 8, which caused fatalities.

The strong heat flow on the plateau of Dieng creates numerous hydrothermally active areas with boiling mud ponds, fumaroles, warm springs etc. The most interesting hydrothermal areas include Kawah Sikidang, Kawah Sigajah, Kawah Kumbang, Kawah Sibanteng, Kawah Upas,Telogo Terus, Kawah Pagerkandang, Kawah Sipandu, Kawah Siglagah, Kawah Sileri, Telogo Dringo and Condrodimuko.
The intense heat flow of the area makes it a prime target for geothermal prospect.

Significant volcanic eruptions: Dieng volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Dieng has had at least 29 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 25 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Dieng volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Dieng volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Dieng can be found on the news page of Dieng volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2021 Apr 29	Historical obs./docs.	1
2018 Apr 1	Sileri Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2017 Apr 30 - Jul 2	Sileri Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2017 Jul 1 (eruption 2017 Apr 30 - Jul 2)	Historical obs./docs.	0	8		Info
2017 Jul 1: Reference #11838: A helicopter belonging to the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) crashed in Temanggung, Central Java, on Sunday afternoon, killing eight people on board. The helicopter was on a rescue mission to the Dieng Plateau in Central Java where an active volcanic crater and famous tourist destination, Sileri Crater, erupted at 12 p.m. It was spurting cold lava and sending smoke 50 meters in the air. The helicopter departed from the Central Javas provincial capital of Semarang at 4 p.m. Basarnas operational director Maj. Gen. Heronimus Guru confirmed there were eight people on board the ill-fated helicopter, consisting of four crew and four rescuers. Central Java Basarnas spokesman Zulhawary Agustianto told The Jakarta Post they predicted the helicopter hit a cliff in an area called Canggal in Candiroto district. At least 17 tourists were at the crater when the eruption occurred, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Ten of them who sustained injuries, which ranged from bruises to a fractured arm, were immediately brought to a nearby community health center to receive treatment. "The authorities asked visitors and residents to vacate the area because there was potential for the crater to erupt for a second time," BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement. The phreatic eruption was caused by gas pressure under the ground, resulting in an explosion that sent out a mix of steam, water, ash and mud, Sutopo added. Reference #2432: BNPB reported that a phreatic eruption at the Sileri Crater lake (Dieng Volcanic Complex) occurred at 1154 on 2 July, ejecting mud and material 150 m high, and 50 m to the N and S. The event injured 11 of 18 tourists that were near the crater. According to a news article a helicopter on the way to help evacuated people after the event crashed, killing all eight people (four crewmen and four rescuers) on board. PVMBG scientists visited the next day and observed weak white emissions rising 60 m. The report noted other events during the recent past; an event at 1303 on 30 April ejected material 10 m high and 1 m past the crater edge that formed a 1-2 mm thick deposit, and an emission at 0941 on 24 May consisting of gas and black "smoke" that rose 20 m. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 1-4) and PVMBG warned the public not to approach Sileri Crater within a 100-m radius. 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/). #11838 The Jakarta Post (2017): Eight killed in rescue helicopter crash. Published July 3 2017, 08:44 am. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2009 Sep 27	Sileri Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2009 Jan 15	Sibanteng crater Historical obs./docs.	1
2003 Jul 16 ±15 d.	Sileri Crater Historical obs./docs.	1?
1996 Dec 31	Near Padangsari crater Historical obs./docs.	1
1993 Jan 23	Near Pandawa Lima temples Historical obs./docs.	1
1992 Mar 18 (eruptive episode 1992 Mar 18)	Historical obs./docs.	0	1		Info
1992 Mar 18: One person was killed and two persons hospitalized by a gas emission on March 18, 1992 not associated with an eruption. (reference #9675) A sudden gas emission occurred at about 1600 on 18 March from a fractured and altered zone in a river valley 200 m W of Sikidang Crater. After the gas emission, one person was found dead in the stream, and two others were hospitalized after trying to rescue him. (reference #2432) 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/). #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
1986 Aug 6	Sileri Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
1981 Jul 2 ±182 d.	Sikidang Historical obs./docs.	1?
1979 Feb 20	Sinila and Sigluduk Historical obs./docs.	1
1979 Feb 20	Historical obs./docs.	1	149		Info
Inhabitants of Kaputjukan, frightened by phreatic eruptions at Sinila and Sigludung Craters, fled toward Batur along trail. 149 (variously reported as 142 to 182) later found dead on the track, seeming to be asleep, in a single file as when they were walking. Killed by emission of poisonours gases from Timbang Crater; either CO2 or CO2 and H2S (hydrogen sulfide). 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
1964 Dec 13	Sileri Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
1964 Dec 13	Historical obs./docs.	1	114		Info
VSI plaque: 114 fatalities from this eruption. 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. #1678 VSI (1993): Volc Surv Indonesia. 1993. Journal of volcanic activity in Indonesia, v 1 Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1956 Jun 2	Sileri Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
1954 Dec 6	Candradimuka area Historical obs./docs.	0
1953 Mar 24 - Mar 25	Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1952 Jul 16 ±15 d.	Uncertain Eruption	1?
1944 Dec 4	Sileri Crater Historical obs./docs.	2
1944 Dec 4 (eruption 1944 Dec 4)	Historical obs./docs.	2	117		Info
1944 Dec 4: VSI plaque notes 117 fatalities and 250 injured from 1944 eruption. Van Bemmelen lists 59 dead, 55 missing, 38 hurt. Coarse gray-white ashes and blocks of old volcanic material rained on 7 villages evidently all within ~1 km of vent. Blocks reached as far as Bitingan, ~1 km from vent, where 11 people were killed and 7 hurt. Ash mud here up to 20 cm thick. At Djawera 300 m N of crater 29 were killed and 19 hurt- ash mud layer 1.5-2.0 m thick. 18 killed at Kepakisan and 1 at Pagerkandang. Wounds caused by boiling hot mud. 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. #1674 Bemmelen R W van (1949): The Geology of Indonesia. The Hague: Government Printing Office, v 1, 732 p #1675 van Bemmelen, R.W. (1949): Report on the volcanic activity and volcanological research in Indonesia during the period 1936-1948. Bulletin Volcanologique, vol. 9, no. 1, p. 3-30. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1943 Nov 3	Sileri Crater Historical obs./docs.	1
1939 Oct 13 - Oct 15	Butak Petarangan Historical obs./docs.	1?
1939 Oct 13 (eruption 1939 Oct 13 - Oct 15)	Historical obs./docs.	1	10	light	Info
1939 Oct 13: Lahars destroyed 50 ha of land and steam explosions caused 10 deaths and damage. Verstappen reports deaths were at Timbang. 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. #1676 Verstappen H Th (1964): Some volcanoes of Halmahera (Moluccas) and their geomorphological setting. Ned Aardr Gen, 81: 297-316. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1928 May 13	Butak Petarangan (Timbang) Historical obs./docs.	2
1928 May 13 (eruption 1928 May 13)	Historical obs./docs.	2	40		Info
1928 May 13: One person was killed by a falling rock at Simbar, 750 m from the vent near Timbang. Verstappen does not specify cause of death but reports 39 people killed at Butak. The Volcanological Society of Indonesia (VSI) plaque near Sinila crater lists 29 fatalities in 1928. 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. #1676 Verstappen H Th (1964): Some volcanoes of Halmahera (Moluccas) and their geomorphological setting. Ned Aardr Gen, 81: 297-316. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

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

Eruptions of Dieng volcano

September 2009 eruption
One or two phreatic eruptions occured at Sileri crater on 26-27 September. ...more info

January 2009 eruption - landslide and phreatic explosion
A small phreatic eruption occured on 16 Jan 2009 at Sibateng crater. ...more info

1992 gas eruption
A sudden gas emissions ocurred at 16h00 on 18 March 1992. One person was killed by CO2 in a river valles 200 m W of Sikidang Crater, and two people trying to rescue him had to be hospitalized.

1979 eruption - deadly gas emissions
The last eruption at Dieng causing a large number of fatalities happened on 20 February 1979. Large gas emissions (CO2, most likely, or H2S) occured along with at least two phreatic eruptions from Sinila and Sigludung craters. At least 149 people were killed, when they fled the explosions and were cought in the deadly gas cloud. Many hundreds were severely injured.
Around 15,000 people were evacuated from six villages near Sinila. Fish and livestock were killed by the eruption. The eruption had been preceded by at least 3 felt earthquakes.

1964 eruption
An eruption in 1964 caused 114 deaths.

1944 eruption
An explosion occurred from Kawah Sileri crater during the night of 4 Dec 1944. The powerful explosion occured in darkness and showered rocks and boiling mud over parts of the villages Kepakisan, Sekalem, Sidolok, Pagerkandang, Djawera and Kepakisanlor. in complete darkness. Some blocks were thrown up to 1 km distance from the vent. An estimated 117 people people were killed, and more than 200 severely injured by ballistic impact and burns from boiling mud.

1939 eruption
A violent phreatic eruption happened at Dieng volcano on 13th October 1939 near the northern side of the Chinese cementary. Hot mud erupted from a new fissure. Activity ended on 3 November 1939.

1928 eruption
A phreatic explosion in 1928 near Timpang killed about 40 people, one by a falling block.

Eruptions in 1826 and 1827
The eruptions in 1826 and 1827 caused several fatalities.

1786 eruption
Fissures opened in the ground and destroyed the village of Jamping killing 38 people.

Dieng Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Dieng volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Dieng occurred in 2021.

+How often does Dieng volcano erupt?

Since 1375 AD, Dieng volcano has had at least 25 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 26 years.

+How active is Dieng volcano at present?

Dieng volcano is relatively active: Since 1900, it has had 18 eruptions, and been active during 18 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Dieng has been in eruption one in 7 years on average. The last eruption was in 2021 and ended 5 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Dieng volcano?

The largest eruption of Dieng volcano in historic times occurred around 1375 AD. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Dieng 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).