Makian Volcano
Updated: Apr 28, 2024 02:27 GMT -
Stratovolcano 1357 m / 4,452 ft
Halmahera (Indonesia), 0.32°N / 127.4°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Halmahera (Indonesia), 0.32°N / 127.4°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 12 Dec 2021 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
Kiebesi volcano (Makian Island) seen from the NW with the prominent Ngopagita gully (image: Ruska Hadian, 1985, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia)
Makian volcano is one of Inondesia's most destructive volcanoes. It has had infrequent, but violent eruptions that have devastated villages on the island. Its eruption have been recorded since about 1550; the major eruptions in 1646, 1760-61, 1861-62, 1890, and 1988 caused extensive damage and many fatalities.
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Makian volcano eruptions: 1550, 1646, 1660(?), 1760-61, 1854(?), 1860(?), 1861-62, 1863, 1864, 1890, 1988
Latest nearby earthquakes
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Background
Makian volcano forms a 10-km-wide island near the southern end of a chain of volcanic islands off the west coast of Halmahera. The large 1.5-km-wide summit crater, containing a small lake on the NE side, gives the 1357-m-high peak a flat-topped profile. Two prominent valleys extend to the coast from the summit crater on the north and east sides. Four parasitic cones are found on the western flanks.---
Source: GVP, Smithsonian Institution
Eruptions of Makian volcano
1988 eruption
A white steam plume appeared on Makian volcano on 17 July 1988. At night, glow from the crater was visible indicating a new eruption. 15,000 people evacuated to to Moti Island 10 km to the north. On 29 July an explosion produced a large ash plume reaching 8 km height and drifting 100 km SW. On 30 July, pyroclastic flows (nuées ardentes) reached the sea. Eruptions continued until August 1988, after when the eruption started to die out.
A white steam plume appeared on Makian volcano on 17 July 1988. At night, glow from the crater was visible indicating a new eruption. 15,000 people evacuated to to Moti Island 10 km to the north. On 29 July an explosion produced a large ash plume reaching 8 km height and drifting 100 km SW. On 30 July, pyroclastic flows (nuées ardentes) reached the sea. Eruptions continued until August 1988, after when the eruption started to die out.
1976 eruption warning & evacuations
In June 1976, local authorities believed an eruption of Makian could be impending and ordered the evacuation of 3,250 families. It turned out later that the seismic activity prompting this measure had been tectonic and not related to the volcano. No eruption followed.
In June 1976, local authorities believed an eruption of Makian could be impending and ordered the evacuation of 3,250 families. It turned out later that the seismic activity prompting this measure had been tectonic and not related to the volcano. No eruption followed.