Report on Dukono (Indonesia) — September 2003
Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, vol. 28, no. 9 (September 2003)
Managing Editor: Edward Venzke.
Dukono (Indonesia) Ash explosions in late July through September generate plumes up to 250 m high
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2003. Report on Dukono (Indonesia) (Venzke, E., ed.). Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, 28:9. Smithsonian Institution. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.BGVN200309-268010
Dukono
Indonesia
1.6992°N, 127.8783°E; summit elev. 1273 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI) reports for June and July 2003 noted volcanic activity and ash emissions from Dukono. VSI reported an ash explosion commencing on 7 June, with ashfall in the Galela area (~ 7 km from the summit) on 9 June (BGVN 28:06). Explosive events had decreased by 9 June, but as of 10 June the plume was still visible on satellite imagery. No additional activity was reported through the end of June.
Ash explosions were again reported by VSI during 9-23 July, with a maximum plume height of 1,000 m in clear weather on 22 July (BGVN 28:06). No Dukono activity was reported in the report for 21-27 July. Ash explosions were reported again during 28 July-3 August, with a white-gray column, under weak pressure, rising 15-75 m. Some explosions produced dark-gray ash columns reaching 95-450 m high. On 27 and 28 July some blasting sounds were heard in the Galela area and continuous blasting sounds were heard on 25, 26, and 29 July. Minor ash fell around the crater, and ash drifted E, SE, and NE.
Ash explosions continued during 18-31 August, producing a gray ash plume 75 m high and an ash column that rose 200-250 m accompanied by booming sounds. VSI reported that ash explosions during the 1-28 September period produced a gray ash plume 50-200 m high. When there was no explosive activity, white-gray ash emissions were observed rising 50 m from the crater. The hazard status has remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4) since early June.
Geological Summary. Reports from this remote volcano in northernmost Halmahera are rare, but Dukono has been one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. More-or-less continuous explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have occurred since 1933. During a major eruption in 1550 CE, a lava flow filled in the strait between Halmahera and the N-flank Gunung Mamuya cone. This complex volcano presents a broad, low profile with multiple summit peaks and overlapping craters. Malupang Wariang, 1 km SW of the summit crater complex, contains a 700 x 570 m crater that has also been active during historical time.
Information Contacts: Dali Ahmad and Nia Haerani, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).
