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Makian Volcano

Updated: Mar 29, 2024 05:57 GMT -
Stratovolcano 1357 m / 4,452 ft
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)
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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Typical eruption style: Explosive eruptions. Infrequent but violent explosions with large amounts of ash and pyroclastic flows generated.
Makian volcano eruptions: 1550, 1646, 1660(?), 1760-61, 1854(?), 1860(?), 1861-62, 1863, 1864, 1890, 1988

Latest nearby earthquakes

No recent 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.
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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.

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.

Latest satellite images

Makian satellite image sat1Makian satellite image sat2

Wed, 15 Jun 2016, 06:00

Makian volcano (Halmahera, Indonesia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 15 June-21 June 2016 (Continuing Activity)

PVMBG reported that during 1 January-15 June gas plumes from Makian rose no higher than the crater rim. Seismicity fluctuated but decreased overall. On 16 June the Alert Level was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-4). ... Read all
Thu, 31 Mar 2016, 08:55

Makian volcano (Kie Besi) (Molucca Sea, Indonesia): continued seismic unrest

Summary of Makian's seismic activity since Jan 2014 (VSI)
Seismic unrest continues at the volcano with a weak tendency of increase in shallow volcanic earthquakes during the past weeks, possibly related to the ascent of a new magmatic body. Read all

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