Kelimutu Volcano
Updated: May 4, 2025 09:11 GMT -
Complex volcano
Flores (Indonesia), -8.77°S / 121.82°E 
Summit height: 1639 m / 5,377 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 25 Sep 2024 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
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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Kelimutu volcano eruptions: 1968, 1938, 1865
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 10:08 pm (GMT +8) | 1.2 10 km | 29 km (18 mi) to the NE | Flores Region, Indonesia | Info | |
| Tuesday, April 29, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Apr 30, 05:50 am (GMT +8) | 2.8 159 km | 26 km (16 mi) to the NW | 23 km north of Ende, Kabupaten Ende, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia | Info | |
| Monday, April 21, 2025 GMT (2 quakes) | |||||
| Apr 21, 01:51 pm (Universal Time) | 1.6 10 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the N | Flores Region, Indonesia | Info | |
| Apr 21, 01:38 pm (Universal Time) | 1.4 11 km | 27 km (17 mi) to the NE | Flores Region, Indonesia | Info | |
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
Sulfur whirlpool in one of the Kelimutu crater lakes. (Photo: mlyvers)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Kelimutu volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Kelimutu has had at least 3 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Kelimutu volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Kelimutu can be found on the news page of Kelimutu volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 May 15 (eruptive episode | Historical obs./docs. | 0 | 1 | Info | |
| Tiwu Nua Muri Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
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
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
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)
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
...more info
Kelimutu Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Kelimutu volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Kelimutu occurred in 1968.
+How often does Kelimutu volcano erupt?
Since 1865, Kelimutu volcano has had at least 3 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 53 years.
+How active is Kelimutu volcano at present?
Kelimutu volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had 2 eruptions, and been active during 2 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Kelimutu has been in eruption one in 63 years on average. The last eruption was in 1968 and ended 57 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Kelimutu volcano?
The largest eruption of Kelimutu volcano in historic times occurred in 1938. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Kelimutu 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 Kelimutu volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Kelimutu volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kelimutu volcano (scale of few kilometers)
