Sinabung Volcano

Updated: May 21, 2025 13:43 GMT - refresh

Stratovolcano

Sumatra, Indonesia, 3.17°N / 98.39°E

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Summit height: 2460 m (8,071 ft)

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

Last update: 17 Oct 2023 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)

Sinabung volcano in July 2015

Sinabung is a typical stratovolcano in northern Sumatra next to the town of Berastagi.

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Typical eruption style: Explosive
Sinabung volcano eruptions: 2013-ongoing, 2010

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Background

There are no confirmed historic eruptions before the re-awakening in August 2010, but possibly it has had activity in around 1600 and 1881.
It is evident that Sinabung volcano has frequently erupted on its flanks producing lava flows. Sinabung has four overlapping summit craters, where fumaroles have been active, particularly in 1912, but no eruption followed the increase of fumarolic activity then. The 4 summit craters are aligned along a N-S direction. The youngest crater of this andesitic-to-dacitic volcano is at the southern end of the four overlapping summit craters.

Sinabung Volcano Photos

Pyroclastic flow on Sinabung volcano, Sumatra, Indonesia (Oct 2014) (Photo: Walter Reis)

Driving through volcanic ash rain at Sinabung volcano, Sumatra, Indonesia (Oct 2014) (Photo: Walter Reis)

Ashfall at Sinabung volcano, Sumatra, Indonesia (Oct 2014) (Photo: Walter Reis)

Pyroclastic flow on Sinabung volcano, Sumatra, Indonesia (Oct 2014) (Photo: Walter Reis)

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Sinabung volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Sinabung has had at least 5 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 4 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1881 from Sinabung volcano.

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

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2020 Aug 8 - 2021 Sep 23	Historical obs./docs.	3
2019 ? - Jun 9	Historical obs./docs.	4
2019 May 7 (eruption 2019 ? - Jun 9)		4		moderate	Info
2019 May 7: PVMBG and BNPB reported that an eruption at Sinabung at 0641 on 7 May generated a dense ash plume that rose 2 km above the crater rim and drifted SW, causing the sky to turn dark in some areas. The eruption lasted 42 minutes and 49 seconds according to the seismic data. Ashfall was reported on farms in many villages in the Simpang Empat (7 km SE), Namanteran, Kabanjahe, and Berastadi districts. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions to 7 km on the SSE sector, 6 km in the ESE sector, and 4 km in the NNE sector. (reference #2432) Karo Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPDB) head Martin Sitepu said four districts were badly affected by the Sinabung eruption, namely Simpang Empat, Namanteran, Kabanjahe and Berastadi. "Many villages in the four districts were affected by the ashes. This surprised us because its been a year since Sinabung was active," he said. Martin said the eruption hit the local economy hard because the ash damaged plantations. He said his agency was deploying several fire trucks to help water down the ash and wash it away from the plantations. "It will take time to clean up the ash because it's thick and the exposed area is quite large," he added. (reference #12424) 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/). #12424 The Jakarta Post (2019): Mount Sinabung erupts, again. Published 07 May 2019. Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2013 Sep 15 - 2018 Jun 22	Summit crater and SE flank Historical obs./docs.	4
2017 Dec 27 (eruption 2013 Sep 15 - 2018 Jun 22)		0		moderate	Info
2017 Dec 27: Crops in several villages across Karo regency, North Sumatra, have been damaged by thick volcanic ash from Mount Sinabung, following its eruption on Wednesday. Karo Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Martin Sitepu said many crops in the regency were threatened with failure. "Data on potential losses are being collected but it is certain that most of farming land of residents in several villages has been damaged by volcanic ash," Martin said on Thursday. Wednesdays Sinabung eruption was the biggest eruption of the volcano in 2017, spewing volcanic ash and hot clouds as far as 3,500 meters to the southeast-east and 4,600 m south-southeast. It affected a number of villages including Namanteran, Sukanali Kota Tonggal and Gamber. (reference #12004) PVMBG reported that during 27 December 2017-2 January 2018 events at Sinabung generated ash plumes that rose as high as 3.2 km above the crater rim, and avalanches of material that traveled as far as 1.5 km E, SE, and S. Pyroclastic flows descended the E, SSE, and S flanks during 27-29 December, traveling 4.6 km SSE and 3.5 km E and S. (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/). #12004 The Jakarta Post (2017): Sinabung volcanic ash damages Karo crops. Published 28 December 2017. Updated at 09:08pm. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/12/28/sinabung-volcanic-ash-damages-karo-crops.html Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2017 Apr 13 (eruption 2013 Sep 15 - 2018 Jun 22)		2		light	Info
2017 Apr 13: Lava spewing from multiple eruptions that started last week at Mount Sinabung in Karo regency, North Sumatra, has destroyed the entire Simacem village, which is located in the area's "red zone" and a mere 3 kilometers away from the volcano. There have been no reports of fatalities as residents were relocated to the neighboring Siosar village several years ago. No buildings were spared in the disaster, which killed livestock and much of the surrounding wildlife, including birds and monkeys, according to Pelin Depari, a volunteer who was part of the team assisting in Simacem's evacuation. "There were no [signs of] life there; only a barren, deserted place," he told The Jakarta Post. A team of volunteers entered Simacem on Sunday after receiving reports of pyroclastic flow encroaching the area. They discovered flattened trees and buildings, but there was nothing left of the small village. Susanto Ginting from Indonesian Volunteer Society (MRI) in Karo explained that spewing hot lava from the volcano's crater started to burn the village at around 2 a.m. on Friday a violent eruption. "It's been almost seven years since [local residents] experienced the impact of Mount Sinabung's eruption. They have gotten used to it and are not afraid anymore," said Susanto, a resident of Gurukinayan village located some 7 km from the volcano. He added that he has felt tremors coming from Sinabung every day since eruptions started a little over a week ago. Volcanic activity has intensified following the collapse of the lava dome on April 9, according to Ardi, an officer from the Center of Volcanology, Disaster Mitigation and Geology (PVMBG) stationed at Sinabung's monitoring post. "The lava dome grows everyday, but since the dome -- with a volume of more than 2 million cubic meters -- collapsed last week, Sinabung's eruptions have increased in intensity," he said, warning residents around the volcano to remain vigilant. Mount Sinabung erupted four times on Friday, with the largest eruption occurring at 1 a.m. and shooting volcanic ash 2,000 meters into the air. It erupted again on Sunday. (above from reference #11812) Cited references #11812 The Jakarta Post (2017): Lava, ash clouds from Sinabung flatten village. 17 April 2017. Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Karo. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2016 May 21 (eruption 2013 Sep 15 - 2018 Jun 22)		0	7	very heavy	Info
2016 May 21: May 18-24, 2016: Based on satellite images and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 18, 21-22, and 24 May ash plumes from Sinabung rose to altitudes of 3.6-5.5 km (12,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and E. BNPB reported that pyroclastic flow descended the flanks at 1648 on 21 May, killing six people and critically injuring three more. The victims were gardening in the village of Gamber, 4 km SE from the summit crater, in the restricted zone. The report noted that activity at Sinabung remained high; four pyroclastic flows descended the flanks on 21 May, and ash plumes rose as high as 3 km. Sources: Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC). (reference #2432) A thick layer of ash has covered several villages in Indonesia after the eruption of Mount Sinabung on Sumatra island. At least seven people died after clouds of hot ash and gas consumed farmland around the mountain on Sunday. Rescuers are still searching for survivors. The ash reached towns 12km (seven miles) away, local military head Agustatius Sitepu told AFP, including Gamber village in North Sumatra. (reference #11533) An estimated 30,000 people were displaced from their homes after Mount Sinabung on the Indonesian island of Sumatra started erupting on June 2, 2010 - after 400 years of laying dormant. National Disaster Agency estimates the eruption of Mount Sinabung has caused more than $100 million (£71million) in damages. More than 30,000 affected residents have been evacuated from the region and buildings and wildlife have been destroyed. (reference #11537) 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/). #11533 BBC News (2016): Mount Sinabung: Thick layer of ash covers villages after eruption. Published 24 May 2016. #11537 Daily Mail (2016): In the shadow of a volcano: Heartbreaking images reveal the brutality of life next to Mount Sinabung. Published: 07:04 EST, 6 April 2016 \| Updated: 07:08 EST, 6 April 2016. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2016 May 9 (eruption 2013 Sep 15 - 2018 Jun 22)		0	1	light	Info
2016 May 9: May 11-17, 2016; BNPB reported that a lahar passed through Kutambaru village, 20 km NW of Sinabung and near the Lau Barus River, at 1545 on 9 May, killing one person and injuring four more. One person was missing. A news article noted that three houses were also damaged. Based on satellite images and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-13 and 16 May ash plumes rose to altitudes of 3-4.5 km (10,000-15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW, W, WNW, and NW. Sources: Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC); Okezone. (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/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2015 Oct 16 (eruption 2013 Sep 15 - 2018 Jun 22)		0	1	light	Info
2015 Oct 16: The volcano continues to slowly extrude viscous lava, which results in occasional small to moderately sized pyroclastic flows (2-3 per day on average). Unfortunately, it indirectly claimed another victim: heavy rains in recent days have appeared and produced numerous mud flows (lahars) that caused damages in various places, but also a victim: on 9 October, a lahar traveled through the Susuk riverbed near Tiganderket village on the western slope and hit a couple on a motorcycle while crossing the valley. It killed the driver who could not escape the muddy torrent, while his wife survived clinging to a tree trunk. (reference #11292) October 14-20, 2015: Based on satellite images and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 16 October an ash plume from Sinabung rose to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 45 km SW. On 20 October ash plumes rose to an altitude of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 55 km N. (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/). #11292 volcanodiscovery.com (2015): Volcanic activity worldwide 16 Oct 2015: Fuego volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, Veniaminof, Sinabung. Published Friday Oct 16, 2015 22:00 PM. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2015 Feb 20 (eruption 2013 Sep 15 - 2018 Jun 22)		0		light	Info
2015 Feb 20: A larger flow on Wednesday night reached 4 km distance, further than all of the previous ones in recent months. It reached the evacuated villages of Suka Meriah where it burnt houses. Fortunately, no victims were reported as people from the place had been relocated permanently. Ash fall occurred in Berastagi town 30 km away. (reference #11216) Cited references #11216 volcanodiscovery.com (2014): Volcanic activity worldwide 20 Feb 2015: Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia). Published Friday Feb 20, 2015 21:00 PM. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2014 Feb 1 (eruption 2013 Sep 15 - 2018 Jun 22)		0	17	light	Info
2014 Feb 1: A rumbling volcano in western Indonesia on Saturday unleashed fresh clouds of searing gas that killed at least 14 people and injured three, only a day after villagers who fled earlier eruptions returned home thinking it was safe, officials said. The dead included four high school students on a school trip to see the volcano and a local journalist, said National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. He said that the government on Friday allowed nearly 14,000 people living outside a three-mile danger zone to return home after the volcano's activity decreased. Mount Sinabung's morning eruption was followed by a more powerful blast that sent lava and pyroclastic flows down southern slopes up to 2.8 miles away, Nugroho said. Television footage showed villages, farms and trees around the 8,530-foot -high volcano covered in thick gray ash. Authorities were still preventing more than 16,000 villagers living along the path of hot clouds from going back to their homes, but many of them insisted on checking their houses and farms after more than four months of being crammed into temporary shelters. Authorities raised the alert status for Sinabung to the highest level in November. (reference #10862) The death toll from an Indonesian volcano that has been rumbling for months rose to 16 Sunday after rescuers found another charred corpse and a critically injured college student died in a hospital, officials said. (reference #10863) Officials said about 170 people armed with chainsaws and oxygen apparatus spread out through the destruction in Sukameriah village, just 2.7 kilometres from Sinabungs crater, on Sunday before the search was called off. "Theres no sign of human life. All the crops were gone. Many houses were damaged and those still standing were covered in thick white ash. It was hard to walk in ash which nearly reached my calves," Gito, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told reporters. (reference #10866) 12 March-18 March 2014. PVMBG described activity at Sinabung during 8-15 March based on observations from a post in the Ndokum Siroga village, 8.5 km away... The report also noted that three people burned during a pyroclastic flow on 1 February later died in the hospital bringing the total number of casualties from that day to 17. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4). Visitors and tourists were prohibited from approaching the crater within a radius of 5 km. (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/). #10862 Associated Press (2014): Indonesia volcano erupts again killing at least 14. Published February 01, 2014. #10863 Associated Press, Binsar Bakkara (2014): Death toll rises to 16 from Indonesia volcano. Published By Binsar Bakkara / Associated Press / February 1, 2014. #10866 Agence France-Presse (2014): Volcano toll set to soar, says Jakarta. Published February 3, 2014. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2013 Sep 15 (eruption 2013 Sep 15 - 2018 Jun 22)		2		moderate	Info
2013 Sep 15: Based on information from the Jakarta Meteorological Watch Office, webcam data, wind data, and satellite images, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 6 November an ash plume from Sinabung rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. The next day an ash plume rose to the same altitude but was not observed in satellite images due to meteorological cloud cover... According to a news article posted on 12 November, more than 5,000 people from seven villages had evacuated their homes in recent days. The article noted that the government had called for an evacuation of people living within a 3-km radius of Sinabung, but people outside of that zone had also been evacuating. (reference #2432) Indonesian farmers continued to harvest their crops Thursday even as a volcano erupted less than two and a half miles away, coating their fields in ash. Up to 4,300 residents have been evacuated from five villages in North Sumatra due to the eruptions of Mount Sinabung, according to Getty Images. The volcano has been spewing ash and lava 2.5 miles into the sky. The Jakarta Globe reported that tens of thousands of hectares of farmland had been affected, with losses to farmers expected to amount to millions of dollars. (reference #10809) 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/). #10809 NBCNews.com, David R. Arnott (2013): Bitter harvest: Indonesia volcano damages crops, forces thousands to flee. Published 15 Nov 2013 on NBCnews.com Photoblog. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2010 Aug 27 - Sep 17 ?	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	3
2010 Aug 30 (eruption 2010 Aug 27 - Sep 17 ?)		0	2		Info
2010 Aug 30: Two people have died and more than 30,000 were displaced when a long-dormant volcano in Indonesia erupted. This is the first confirmed eruption in historical time, though there was possible explosive activity in 1881, and CVGHM (the Indonesian volcanological agency) is saying the last eruption was in 1600. Cited references #8535 Andy Saputra, CNN (2010): 2 die after Indonesian volcano erupts again, CNN. Retrieved August 30, 2010 from http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/30/indonesia.volcano.toll/?hpt=T2 Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
?? 1881	Uncertain Eruption	?
810 ±70 y. AD	SE flank	?

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

Sinabung Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Sinabung volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Sinabung occurred during 2020 - 2021.

+How often does Sinabung volcano erupt?

Sinabung volcano erupts almost every year. Since its first historically documented eruption 2010, Sinabung has often been near-continuously active. The Global Volcanism Project counts 4 historic eruptions until now, spanning a total of 10 out of 15 years. In other words, Sinabung is active roughly every one in 1.5 years on average. This value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruption might not contain all eruptions, especially further back in time. The last eruption of Sinabung

+How active is Sinabung volcano at present?

Sinabung volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 10 eruptions, and been active during 10 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Sinabung has been in eruption one in 12.6 years on average. The last eruption was from 2020 until 2021 and ended 4 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Sinabung volcano?

The largest eruption of Sinabung volcano in historic times occurred in 2019. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Sinabung 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).