Authorities have decided to close access to Kawah Ijen. The decision was based on elevated seismic and degassing activity observed since 20 March. Gas plumes often reach more than 100 m in height.

Our expedition leader Andi visited Ijen crater during a period of elevated activity in May 2012, when lots of sulfur from the fumaroles was burning at night with blue and reddish flames, creating abstract photos.

The alert level of Ijen volcano was raised from 2 to 3 (out of 4) on 24 July due to an increase in steaming and seismicity.

During 1-30 April white plumes from Ijen rose 100-200 m above the crater; during 1-11 May diffuse white plumes rose 50-100 m. ...more [read all]

Ijen volcano in East Java has calmed down again, although its alert level is still at 3 (out of 4). ...more

CVGHM reported on 25 March that Ijen's lake water chemistry changed during 10 January-17 March, exhibiting a significant increase in carbon dioxide, especially after 5 February, and an increase in acidity. The lake surface temperature increased from 28.8 degrees Celsius on 3 March to 45.1 degrees Celsius on 17 March. The lake water temperature at a depth of 5 m also rose from 42.7 to 44.7 degrees Celsius on 3 and 17 March, respectively. Seismicity increased starting in March. The Alert Level remained at 2.

VolcanoDiscovery team member Adi Susanto returned from a visit to Ijen volcano in East Java, where he observed strong degassing on 17 March. At the moment, the alert level of Ijen is still at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the area is strictly closed to workers and visitors as an eruption could occur with little warning. ...more [read all]

The official alert level for Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia, has been raised again to 3 ("alert") due to an increase in activity, our Indonesian correspondant Andi reports. ...more [read all]

The crater of Ijen is again open for visitors. The Indonesian Geological Survey lowered the alert level for Ijen volcano yesterday back from 3 (where it had been since 18 Dec, on a scale of 1-4) to 2. ...more [read all]

Ijen volcano in East Java, famous for its turquoise crater lake and the massive sulfur deposits inside the crater, might be close to an eruption. ...more [read all]

The alert level of Ijen volcano in East Java has been raised to alert/unrest (2 out of 4) due to increased seismic activity and increased temperatures and fumaroles inside the crater, famous for its turquoise acid lake and the sulfur deposits, which are being quarried by workers. ...more