Salak Volcano

Updated: Oct 10, 2025 13:31 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

West Java, Indonesia, -6.72°S / 106.73°E

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Summit height: 2211 m / 7,254 ft

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

Last update: 11 Dec 2021 (FALSE ALARM: Indonesian authorities state an eruption has NOT occurred)

Salak volcano is at the NE end of an old eroded volcanic chain. Historic eruptions from Salak volcano were phreatic explosions from craters on its flank in a prominent fumarole area. Salak volcano is an area with intense hydrothermal exploration.

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News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: Explosive
Salak volcano eruptions: 1938, 1935, 1919, 1902-03, 1780, 1698-99

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
Oct 5, 01:49 am (Jakarta)	2.3 9 km	15 km (9.6 mi) to the W	Bogor Regency, 22 km west of Cicurug, Kabupaten Sukabumi, Jawa Barat, Indonesia	Info
Oct 4, 07:50 am (Jakarta)	2.5 114 km	24 km (15 mi) to the W	Java, Indonesia	Info
Oct 4, 07:43 am (Jakarta)	2.3 10 km	17 km (10.5 mi) to the W	Java, Indonesia	Info
Sunday, September 28, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Sep 28, 09:06 pm (Jakarta)	2.7 13 km	7.7 km (4.8 mi) to the W	Java, Indonesia 1 report	Info
Sep 28, 07:15 pm (Jakarta)	2.5 13 km	15 km (9.6 mi) to the W	Java, Indonesia	Info
Friday, September 26, 2025 GMT (4 quakes)
Sep 26, 10:08 pm (Jakarta)	2.9 10 km	16 km (9.7 mi) to the W	Java, Indonesia 1 report	Info
Sep 26, 10:04 pm (Jakarta)	2.2 10 km	19 km (12 mi) to the W	Java, Indonesia	Info
Sep 26, 08:52 pm (Jakarta)	2.5 10 km	16 km (9.6 mi) to the W	Java, Indonesia	Info
Sep 26, 08:37 pm (Jakarta)	2.7 14 km	18 km (11 mi) to the W	Kabupaten Sukabumi, 25 km southwest of Ciampea, Indonesia 1 report	Info

View recent quakes

Background

Flank cones occur on the SW flank and at the northern foot of the forested volcano. The summit is truncated by 2 large breached craters, one to the NE and one to the WN. The western crater breach originated from a debris avalanche that left a deposit extensing 10 km to the WNW from the summit.

Significant volcanic eruptions: Salak volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Salak has had at least 5 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations. There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1699 AD from Salak volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Salak volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Salak can be found on the news page of Salak volcano.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths
2007 Jul 7 (eruptive episode 2007 Jul 7)	Historical obs./docs.	0	6	Info
2007 Jul 7: Six of 50 teenagers camping on the volcano died from suspected sulfur gas inhalation and several others were hospitalized. No eruption. (reference #9675) According to news articles, sulfur-gas poisoning from one of Salak's fume-filled craters was suspected in the deaths of six teenagers on 7 July 2007. The victims, who were between the ages of 14 and 16, were part of a group of about 50 students camping on the volcano for the weekend. The bodies were found with blood and foam on their mouths and noses. According to a Reuters report of 9 July 2007, police officer Thomas Alexander reported that "one of the students was found dead with foam on his mouth, a strong indicator of sulfur poisoning." Several more poisoned students were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. (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
1938 Jan 31 ±5 d.	Kawah Cikaluwung Putri Historical obs./docs.	2
1935 Feb	Kawah Cikaluwung Putri Historical obs./docs.	2
1919	Kawah Ratu Historical obs./docs.	2
1902 - 1903	Kawah Ratu Historical obs./docs.	2
1780	Kawah Ratu Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1699 AD Jan 5	Uncertain Eruption	?

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 Salak volcano

2007 fatalities (6 students aphyxiated)
...more info

Salak Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Salak volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Salak occurred in 1938.

+How often does Salak volcano erupt?

Since 1780, Salak volcano has had at least 5 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 49 years.

+How active is Salak volcano at present?

Salak volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had 5 eruptions, and been active during 5 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Salak has been in eruption one in 25.2 years on average. The last eruption was in 1938 and ended 88 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Salak volcano?

The largest eruption of Salak 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

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Salak 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).