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Kelimutu Volcano

Updated: Mar 29, 2024 11:53 GMT -
Complex volcano 1639 m / 5,377 ft
Flores (Indonesia), -8.77°S / 121.82°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 15 Dec 2021

Kelimutu (Keli Mutu) volcano in central Flores, Indonesia, is famous for its 3 colorful acid crater lakes, where different salts and oxides in suspension or solution give the lakes varying colors ranging from blue and dark green to intense red. In historic times, few small phreatic explosions have been the only activity at the volcano.
The scenic craters with their lakes are popular tourist destinations.

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Typical eruption style: Explosive
Kelimutu volcano eruptions: 1968, 1938, 1865

Latest nearby earthquakes

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Background

The western lake, Tiwi Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People) is commonly blue. Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched, or Enchanted Lake), which share a common crater wall, are commonly green- and red-colored, respectively, although lake colors vary periodically. During the dry season reduction processes let Ba, Cu, and As minerals precipitate, in the wet season, the oxidation and precipitation of iron minerals (ferric oxide: Fe2O3) produces intense red colors.
Active upwelling occurs at the two eastern lakes and is probably fed by subaqueous fumaroles.
Kelimutu volcano is flanked by the older cones of Kelido and Kelibara 3 km to the north and 2 km to the south, respectively.
(Source: GVP)

Kelimutu Volcano Photos

Eruptions of Kelimutu volcano



1995 fatal accident & measurements of the lake
A Dutch tourist fell into Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai lake and died. Rescue searchers climbed into the crater with ropes and oxygen gas masks. During their 5days unsuccessful rescue efforts, they also carried out interesting measurments of the lake. The pH of the lake was measured at 0.5, its temperature 37°C, and minor bubbling was observed at the surface. ...more info

1993 seismic unrest
Kelimutu showed increased seismic activity in February-April 1993, with 318 deep and 196 shallow earthquakes recorded.
(Source: GVP monthly activity reports)

1986 unrest - increased gas bubbling
...more info

Latest satellite images

Kelimutu satellite image sat1Kelimutu satellite image sat2
Mon, 15 Jul 2013, 08:50

Kelimutu volcano (Flores, Indonesia): state of lakes returns to normal levels

Comparison of the crater lakes in June (l) and July (r) (VSI)
The alert level of the volcano has been placed back to green (normal) by the Indonesian Volcanological Survey. The increased evaporation and the change of color of two of the three crater lakes, that had prompted the raise in alert status in June, have returned to normal levels or been reverted in July, suggesting that the crisis of the volcano is over. Read all
Wed, 10 Jul 2013, 06:00

Kelimutu volcano (Flores Island, Indonesia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 10 July-16 July 2013 (New Activity / Unrest)

CVGHM reported that on 6, 10, and 12 June, and during 14 June-9 July, the color of the water in Kelimutu's Crater II (Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai Crater) was bluish white. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 50 m above the lake's surface and in some areas the water appeared or sounded like it was boiling. A sulfur odor was also reported. ... Read all

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