Eruption during October 2022-February 2023 with minor ash plumes

Kerinci, a stratovolcano in central Sumatra, Indonesia, has had numerous moderate explosive eruptions since 1838. The previous eruption lasted from April 2018 until June 2021 and included intermittent gas-and-steam and ash plumes (BGVN 43:07, 46:07). This report covers activity during July 2021-February 2023, and is based on data from the Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG), also known as the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), and satellites.

A new eruption began on 15 October 2022, when observers reported plumes with brown, gray, or black ash that drifted downwind a short distance above the crater, with the highest rising 1.2 km on 12 January 2023; the last reported ash plume was on 27 February 2023. Weather clouds obscured the volcano on most days, allowing only infrequent good webcam photos or satellite images. Although ash plumes were often seen, white steam-and-gas plumes were also visible on many days. There were no thermal anomalies detected over the course of this activity in Sentinel-2 or MODIS data. Though infrequently observed by the TROPOMI instrument aboard the Sentinel-5P satellite, the sulfur dioxide plumes that were detected were localized above the volcano.

According to PVMBG’s MAGMA-Indonesia daily reports from July 2021 through early October 2022, no explosions or ash emissions were observed; white emissions were observed most days when weather permitted. The Darwin VAAC issued an advisory for a plume on 14 October 2021 that reached as high as 750 m, but no ash was identified in satellite data and PVMBG only observed a white steam-and-gas plume. During 15-16 October a new eruption began with a steam-and-ash plumes that rose about 50-350 m above the summit (figure 25) and drifted NE. According to PVMBG and the Darwin VAAC, on 19 October, at 0620 and 0815, ash plumes rose 500-700 m above the summit. On most subsequent days in October ash emissions were visible rising 300-750 m above the summit and drifting primarily NE and NW.

Figure 25. Webcam photo of Kerinci on 16 October 2022 showing a gray ash plume rising from the summit crater. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia.

In November, ash plumes rose 150-400 m and drifted in various directions. At 0830 on 27 November an ash plume rose 400 m and drifted E. During 29-30 November, white steam-and-gas plumes rose 300 m. During December, frequent ash plumes and white steam-and-gas plumes rose 100-300 m almost daily, except for an ash plume at 0822 on 6 December which rose 700 m and drifted SW. According to PVMBG, the amplitude of continuous tremor increased during 28-29 December.

The eruption was ongoing during 4-8 January with brown, brown-to-gray, or white-and-brown ash plumes rising as high as 200 m above the crater rim and drifting NE and E. During 10-14 January daily ash plumes that were brown or gray rose generally 400-900 m above the summit and drifted N, NE, and W. At 1810 on 12 January a dense gray ash plume rose 1.2 km above the summit and drifted NW.

An eruptive event was recorded at 0230 on 3 February but not visually confirmed; white-and-gray ash plumes were visible later that day rising 100 m above the summit and drifting NE and E. Plumes with brown or gray ash were visible when conditions were clear, typically in the early morning hours, during 4-10 and 14 February, with small plumes only reaching 150-200 m above the summit and drifting in easterly directions. At 1207 on 15 February a dense brown ash plume rose 200 m and drifted E (figure 26). Dense brown ash plumes rose 150-250 m and drifted E and SE at 0908 and 1937 on 16 February. Plumes with gray or brown ash rose 50-150 m above the crater rim on 26 and 27 February.

Figure 26. Webcam photo of Kerinci showing a brown ash plume rising from the summit crater on 15 February 2023. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia.

Information Contacts: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); MAGMA Indonesia, Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (URL: https://magma.esdm.go.id/v1); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/); Global Sulfur Dioxide Monitoring Page, Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC), 8800 Greenbelt Road, Goddard, Maryland, USA (URL: https://so2.gsfc.nasa.gov/); Sentinel Hub Playground (URL: https://www.sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground); MIROVA (Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity), a collaborative project between the Universities of Turin and Florence (Italy) supported by the Centre for Volcanic Risk of the Italian Civil Protection Department (URL: http://www.mirovaweb.it/).

Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)

March 1987 (SEAN 12:03) Cite this Report

Fumarolic emissions containing SO₂ from crater floor

Kerinci . . . was visited by a team of climbers 28-29 March. A white plume containing SO₂ was continuously emitted from numerous fumaroles on the crater floor, 400 m below the summit.

Information Contacts: T. Casadevall and A. Wight, USGS Bandung.

November 1996 (BGVN 21:11) Cite this Report

Seismic signals and some ash-bearing plumes

Seismic signals during August through 20 September (1- 10 mm amplitude) arrived at ~5-minute intervals. This behavior preceded ash-bearing emissions up to 800 m above the summit, ~4x higher than those normally seen. By the end of September, both the seismic signals and emissions dropped, the latter reaching ~600 m high.

Activity continued to decrease during October. White vapor was released from the crater and rose 800 m with occasional small explosions. During October seismic signals had a maximum amplitude of 7 mm.

Information Contacts: Wimpy S. Tjetjep, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia, Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia.

August 1998 (BGVN 23:08) Cite this Report

Plume rises to 2 km on 4 July

Activity increased beginning on 4 July. A gray-to-black plume escaped the summit crater under high pressure around noon. Local residents heard a noise similar to cannon-fire. The cloud rose 800-2,000 m above the summit. The eruption ended about 1700. On 5 July the volcano had resumed its normal level of activity; the plume reached heights of 100-400 m above the summit.

Information Contacts: R. Sukhyar, Director, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Bandung, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).

October 1998 (BGVN 23:10) Cite this Report

Rumbling, ash, and sulfur smell on 3 November

Increasing activity culminated in an eruption on 3 November. In the early afternoon the volcano rumbled three times and ash covered the nearby village of Palempok. Residents also noticed a strong sulfur smell. Rumbling was heard twice on 6 November by residents of Tangkil and Palempok. Unfortunately, the seismograph used to monitor the volcano had been inoperative since 3 November.

Information Contacts: R. Sukhyar, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Bandung, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).

August 1999 (BGVN 24:08) Cite this Report

Continuous tremor in June, black ash eruptions in July

The intensity of eruption at Kerinci varied during April and May. White or gray ash plumes rose up to 700 m above the summit on many days during these months. Periodic increases and decreases in both volcanic and tectonic earthquakes were recorded.

In June the number of daily volcanic earthquakes increased and the ash erupted from the summit became darker in color. During the week of 22-28 June, volcanologists noticed that the ash column rose 600 m above the summit under strong gas pressure and that the summit topography changed. On 28 June tremor became continuous and at 0630 on 29 June an ash column rose 1,000 m above the summit under strong gas pressure. Increased ash emissions and nearly continuous tremor continued for several weeks.

Two eruptions of dark brown and black ash rose 800 m above the summit on 21 July. Black ash was vigorously ejected on 23 July. The ash from this eruption drifted eastward in a billowing cloud. Ash erupted on 28 July fell on nearby villages and farms. During August activity slowly decreased in intensity: tremor resumed normal levels and periods of duration, and emissions were a more normal dense white color. Eruption plumes rose to heights of 100-500 m. This calmer activity persisted through September.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).

February 2001 (BGVN 26:02) Cite this Report

Gas-and-steam plumes and explosion earthquakes, February to mid-October 2000

Persistent fumarolic activity occurred at Kerinci during February to mid-October 2000. During the report period Kerinci mainly produced light-colored, variably dense gas-and-steam plumes that rose 50-600 m. Plumes were occasionally reported to darken and become dense between 29 February and 20 March, possibly indicating ash emission, although no ashfall was reported. Small explosion earthquakes, usually related to gas discharge, dominated seismicity throughout the interval with an average of ~240 events recorded per week. These earthquakes were continuous during late April to mid-May. Consistent numbers of deep volcanic (A-type), shallow volcanic (B-type), and tectonic earthquakes occurred throughout the period. During the report interval no major eruptions were observed, and Kerinci's hazard status did not exceed 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Information Contacts: Dali Ahmad, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).

December 2001 (BGVN 26:12) Cite this Report

Minor explosions, ash plumes, and seismicity from May 2001 through early 2002

During May 2001 through at least early January 2002, seismic activity at Kerinci was dominated by small explosion earthquakes. Plumes were visible above the summit and generally drifted E throughout most of the report period (table 1). Minor explosions occurred and on 9 August an explosion was accompanied by a booming sound heard by people working in rice fields around the volcano. At 0925 the same day a brown, high-pressure plume was observed reaching 700 m above the summit. The plume was visible drifting NNE for ~5 minutes.

Table 1. Seismicity at Kerinci during 7 May 2001 through 6 January 2002. The left-hand column shows time intervals; the adjacent four columns indicate the number of earthquakes or maximum tremor amplitudes seen during the time intervals; the right-hand column adds comments about plume heights. Courtesy VSI.

Eruptive activity stopped briefly during mid-August. During 0800-1200 on 9 September, explosive activity produced a brown ash plume that rose 500 m above the summit. Gas pressure was low in early November and seismic activity decreased slightly. The volcano remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4) throughout the report period.

Information Contacts: Dali Ahmad, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).

April 2002 (BGVN 27:04) Cite this Report

Small explosion earthquakes dominate, plumes 600 m above summit

During January-May 2002, seismic activity at Kerinci was dominated by small explosion earthquakes. Plumes reached up to 600 m above the summit (table 2). An explosion during 0950-1030 on 4 May produced ash that rose 400 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 throughout the report period.

Table 2. Seismicity and plume observations at Kerinci during 7 January through 19 May 2002. Courtesy VSI.

Information Contacts: Dali Ahmad, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).

August 2002 (BGVN 27:08) Cite this Report

Continuous small explosions during May through early September 2002

During 27 May-8 September 2002, seismicity at Kerinci was dominated by continuous small explosion earthquakes. Plumes reached up to 800 m above the summit (table 3). The Alert Level remained at 2 throughout the report period.

Table 3. Earthquakes reported at Kerinci during 27 May-8 September 2002. Continuous small explosions were reported throughout the report period. Courtesy VSI.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).

December 2002 (BGVN 27:12) Cite this Report

Continuous emissions through December 2002

Emissions were continuous through at least late October 2002 (table 4). During most of the period 9 September-27 October a "white-thin ash plume" rose 50-400 m and drifted toward the W or SW. No ashfall was reported. Kerinci remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4). No further reports were issued during 2002.

Table 4. Earthquakes registered at Kerinci during 9 September-27 October 2002. Courtesy VSI.

Information Contacts: Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI), Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).

August 2004 (BGVN 29:08) Cite this Report

Dark ash plumes in late July-early August 2004

Although frequently active, the most recent eruptive period at Kerinci had ended by late 2002 (BGVN 27:08 and 27:12). A new eruptive episode was reported by the Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (DVGHM) starting in late July. However, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) issued an advisory on 22 June after receiving a report of ash from Kerinci at ~ 3.8 km altitude (summit level) drifting W; no ash was visible on satellite imagery.

During 24-31 July 2004 observers reported seeing a "white, thick blackish" plume rising 100-600 m above the crater rim and drifting WSW. Ashfall deposits as thick as 1 cm were identified at distances of 3 km from the summit. The number of volcanic earthquakes recorded rose during this week and remained high through the week ending on 8 August (table 5). Another eruption on the morning of 6 August sent a gray ash plume 600 m above the summit. Based on the increased activity, DVGHM raised the hazard status to Alert Level II (yellow).

Table 5. Seismicity at Kerinci, 12 July-29 August 2004. Courtesy of DVGHM.

Volcanic earthquakes decreased during 9-15 August, although continuous emission signals were still being recorded and thin white plumes were seen rising 50-300 m above the summit. Similar activity continued the following week. A thick gray plume rising 50 m was reported the week of 23-29 August, but there was no change in seismicity.

Information Contacts: Dali Ahmad, Hetty Triastuty, Nia Haerani, and Sri Kisyati, Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, Jalan Diponegoro No. 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia, URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/).

January 2005 (BGVN 30:01) Cite this Report

27 September 2004 ash plumes to 6 km altitude; thick gray plumes during October 2004

Events at Kerinci were previously discussed through 29 August 2004 (BGVN 29:08). The following report overlaps slightly, covering 17 July through 24 October 2004. As already reported, on 24 July 2004 a thick plume rose to 100-600 m above the crater rim, ash fell ~ 3 km from the crater forming deposits as thick as 1 cm. Seismicity is summarized in table 6.

Table 6. Volcanic seismicity registered at Kerinci during 17 July to 24 October 2004. Courtesy of DVGHM.

There were six Darwin VAAC reports on Kerinci in 2004, two on 21 June and four on 27 September. (Prior to that the VAAC reports were clustered in mid- to late-August 2002.) The 21 June cases discussed a continuous emission with ash to ~ 4 km drifting W. The 27 September cases began with and then repeated an aviator's statement (an AIREP at 0136 UTC 27 September), noting that ash was observed to ~ 6 km, drifting W. For all six cases (June and September), the VAAC staff noted that due to cloud cover, ash was not visible in satellite data.

Kerinci erupted on 6 August 2004 at 0835 hours. Gray ash rose to 50-600 m above the summit. The hazard status was raised to Alert Level II (yellow) at 1030, where it stayed for the remainder of this report period.

During 9-15 August 2004 the number of earthquakes decreased. A white thin plume again rose to 50-300 m above the summit. Volcanic activity remained relatively stable from 15 August through 24 October 2004, with thick gray plumes rising 50-300 m above the summit.

Information Contacts: Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (DVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/).

May 2008 (BGVN 33:05) Cite this Report

Occasional steam plumes in 2007-2008; ash emission on 9 September 2007

Kerinci last erupted on 6 August 2004. Following that, the volcano was relatively quiet through January 2005 (BGVN 30:01). This report discusses events through 11 May 2008. Satellite thermal imaging has not shown any "hot-spots" for the past several years, but the behavior there has been characterized by emissions of billows of thin white smoke that rose to ~ 200 m above the crater.

On 8 September 2007, a number of minor seismic events occurred. On 9 September, vapor emissions increased, pulsing at ~ 5-minute intervals, and accompanied by inky black ash. The plume rose ~ 700-800 m above the crater rim and ash fell within ~ 8 km of the vent.

The Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) reported that the Alert Status was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Visitors and tourists were not permitted to approach the crater closer than 1 km.

Activity in the following months did not show any significantly abnormal behavior until 14-18 February 2008, when more voluminous thick white plumes rose ~ 500 m above the crater rim.

According to CVGHM, the seismicity increased during 17-24 March 2008. On 24 March, an ash-and-gas plume rose to an altitude of 4.3 km. Another increase in seismicity occurred during 10-11 May, when thick white plumes rose to altitudes of 4.3-4.5 km and drifted E. The Alert Status remained at 2.

Information Contacts: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) Thermal Alerts System, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Univ. of Hawai'i, 2525 Correa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA (URL: http://modis.higp.hawaii.edu/).

December 2009 (BGVN 34:12) Cite this Report

Eruptions, ash plumes, and seismicity during 1-21 April 2009

Since a 2004 eruption, Kerinci had been relatively quiet except for ash plumes in September 2007 and ash and steam plumes in February, March, and May 2008 (BGVN 33:05). Eruptions sent ash plumes hundreds of meters above the crater during the first three weeks of April 2009, causing ashfall 8 km away. A report on this period by the Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) noted that the active crater normally emits whitish plumes ~300 m above the peak. During September 2007 through at least 21 April 2009 the Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and visitors have been advised to remain at least 1 km from the summit and to don masks in cases of heavy ashfall.

According to CVGHM, seismicity also increased at Kerinci during the first three weeks of April 2009. The signals were generally dominated by those from eruptions and their associated seismically detected signals traveling through air (as opposed to rock), 'air blasts.' The daily average of air blasts was 38, with the daily maximum reaching 54. The amplitudes of eruptive earthquake signals were 5-49 mm; the amplitudes of the air blasts were 0.5-9 mm. In addition, earthquakes during this 3-week period also included those of deep volcanic origin on 9 and 10 April (1 per day).

The increased seismicity was accompanied by steam-, ash-, or cinder-bearing plumes, sometimes dense, that rose as high as 500-600 m above the crater. On 3 April an eruption reached ~500 m above the crater; variable plumes continued through 12 April. A nearby observation post reported the rumbling of eruptions and ashfall during 19-20 April that extended as much as 8 km from the crater.

The eruptions deposited loose material (ash, cinders, lapilli, volcanic bombs, etc.) along the volcano's slope that leads to a nearby river. CVGHM was concerned that a heavy rain in the vicinity of the volcano could pick up this loose material and cause a lahar along the river channel.

Satellite thermal monitoring using MODVOLC during 2009 recorded over 25 alerts at Kerinci between 29 April and 19 June 2009.

Information Contacts: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); MODVOLC, Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) Thermal Alerts System, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Univ. of Hawai'i, 2525 Correa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA (URL: http://modis.higp.hawaii.edu/).

April 2017 (BGVN 42:04) Cite this Report

Brief ash eruptions in December 2011, June 2013, March-June 2016, and November 2016

After an eruption in April 2009 (BGVN 34:12), Kerinci was quiet until it erupted again in December 2011. The Indonesian agency responsible for volcano monitoring is the Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG), also known as the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM). Since mid-December 2011 there have been four instances where there was an emission of ash, qualifying the event as an eruption. These took place in December 2011, June 2013, and twice in 2016. The eruptions in 2016 were separated by five months, so are treated as distinct eruptions.

PVMBG mentioned in its 2015 reports on Kerinci that an eruption on 15 December 2011 generated an ash plume that rose about 600 m above the summit (summit elevation is 3.8 km). No other details were given.

A brief eruption was reported by PVMBG on 2 June 2013, from 0843 to 0848, that generated an ash plume 1 km above the crater. Ashfall as thick as 5 mm was reported in areas to the E, including Tangkil (7.5 km SE). In a Jakarta Post story, a resident of Sungai Rumpun village (about 10 km SE) reported hearing a loud bang and black plumes with a sulfur odor. The article noted that several villages in Gunung Tujuh district (an area that includes the SE flank of the volcano) received heavy ashfall, but it was washed off the crops by rain.

Although PVMBG reported white plumes during 1 February-12 July 2015 that rose 50-300 m and drifted E and W, no clear eruptive activity was noted. Seismicity during this period was dominated by signals indicating emissions and shallow volcanic earthquakes. Climbers who reached the summit around this time (exact dates not reported, images uploaded 17 January 2016) photographed steam plumes (figure 1) and solid lava flows (figure 2) in the crater.

Figure 1. Photo of a steam plume rising from the Kerinci summit crater. Date not reported; uploaded 17 January 2016. Courtesy of Bernhard Huber.

Figure 2. Photo of the crater floor at Kerinci showing solidified lava flows and steam. Date not reported; uploaded 17 January 2016. Courtesy of Bernhard Huber.

Based on satellite images and ground reports from PVMBG, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) reported that during 15 days between 31 March and 9 June 2016 ash plumes rose to altitudes of 4.0-4.9 km and drifted N, NW, NE, E, and WSW. On 29 April an ash plume rose to an altitude of 6.1 km.

Figure 3. Photo of Kerinci showing a plume rising from the summit crater on 9 June 2016. Courtesy of Luke Mackin.

Ash plumes were again reported on 15-19, and 21 November 2016 based on observations of satellite data by the Darwin VAAC. The plumes rose to altitudes of 4.3-4.6 km and drifted NE, ENE, SE, and S. On 15 and 17 November they drifted almost 30 km downwind. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), where it has been since September 2007, and PVMBG advised residents and visitors not to enter an area within 3 km of the summit.

Information Contacts: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/); Bernhard Huber (URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/97278656@N08/, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/); Luke Mackin (URL: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsumatra/, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/); Jakarta Post (URL: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/06/02/mt-kerinci-erupts.html).

July 2018 (BGVN 43:07) Cite this Report

Small ash plumes observed in August 2017, April 2018, and June 2018

Kerinci has produced intermittent ash explosions in recent years, including December 2011, June 2013, March-June 2016, and November 2016 (BGVN 42:04). The Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) has issued the only reports on activity between December 2016 and July 2018, and these have been based on satellite data. The Indonesia volcano monitoring agency, Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), has kept the Alert Level at 2 (on a scale of 1-4) since 9 September 2007.

According to the Darwin VAAC, on 13 August 2017, an ash plume rose to an altitude of 4.3 km and drifted WSW.

Sentinel-2 satellite imagery showed what appeared to be a small ash plume rising from the crater on 21 April 2018 (figure 4). The Darwin VAAC also reported that on 5 June 2018 a minor ash emission rose to an altitude of 4.3 km and drifted W (figure 5). On 10 June an ash plume rose to an altitude of 4 km and drifted W.

Figure 4. Natural color satellite image from Sentinel-2 on 21 April 2018 showing a small light-brown ash plume rising from the Kerinci summit crater. Courtesy of Sentinel Hub.

Figure 5. A brown ash plume is visible in this natural color Sentinel-2 satellite image of the Kerinci crater on 5 June 2018. Courtesy of Sentinel Hub.

During the reporting period, no significant sulfur dioxide levels near the volcano were recorded by NASA's satellite-borne ozone instruments, and no thermal anomalies were detected.

Information Contacts: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/); Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Sentinel Hub Playground (URL: https://www.sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground); Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) - MODVOLC Thermal Alerts System, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), Univ. of Hawai'i, 2525 Correa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA (URL: http://modis.higp.hawaii.edu/); NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC), Global Sulfur Dioxide Monitoring Page, Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Goddard, Maryland, USA (URL: https://so2.gsfc.nasa.gov/).

February 2019 (BGVN 44:02) Cite this Report

A persistent gas-and-steam plume and intermittent ash plumes occurred from July 2018 through January 2019

Kerinci is a frequently active volcano in Sumatra, Indonesia. Recent activity has consisted of intermittent explosions, ash, and gas-and-steam plumes. The volcano alert has been at Level II since 9 September 2007. This report summarizes activity during July 2018-January 2019 based on reports by The Indonesia volcano monitoring agency, Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), MAGMA Indonesia, notices from the Darwin Volcano Ash Advisory Center (Darwin VAAC), and satellite data.

Throughout this period dilute gas-and-steam plumes rising about 300 m above the summit were frequently observed and seismicity continued (figure 6). During July through January ash plumes were observed by the Darwin VAAC up to 4.3 km altitude and dispersed in multiple directions (table 7 and figure 7).

Figure 6. Graph showing seismic activity at Kerinci from November 2018 through February 2019. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia.

Table 7. Summary of ash plumes (altitude and drift direction) for Kerinci during July 2018 through January 2019. The summit is at 3.5 km altitude. Data courtesy of the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) and MAGMA Indonesia.

Figure 7. Dilute ash plumes at Kerinci during July 2018-January 2019. Sentinel-2 natural color (bands 4, 3, 2) satellite images courtesy of Sentinel Hub Playground.

Based on satellite data, a Darwin VAAC advisory reported an ash plume to 4.3 km altitude on 22 July that drifted to the SW and S. Only one day with elevated thermal emission was noted in Sentinel-2 satellite data for the entire reporting period, on 13 September 2018 (figure 8). No thermal signatures were detected by MODVOLC. On 28-29 September there was an ash plume observed to 500-600 m above the peak that dispersed to the W. Several VAAC reports on 2 and 18-22 October detected ash plumes that rose to 4.3 km altitude and drifted in different directions. On 19 January from 0734 to 1000 an ash plume rose to 200 m above the crater and dispersed to the E and SE (figure 9).

Figure 8. Small thermal anomaly at Kerinci volcano on 13 September 2018. False color (urban) image (band 12, 11, 4) courtesy of Sentinel Hub Playground.

Figure 9. Small ash plume at Kerinci on 19 January 2019 that reached 200 m above the crater and traveled west. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia.

Information Contacts: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); MAGMA Indonesia, Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (URL: https://magma.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/); Sentinel Hub Playground (URL: https://www.sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground).

June 2019 (BGVN 44:06) Cite this Report

Intermittent explosions with ash plumes, February-May 2019

Frequently active, Indonesia's Mount Kerinci on Sumatra has been the source of numerous moderate explosive eruptions since its first recorded eruption in 1838. Intermittent explosions with ash plumes, usually multiple times per month, have characterized activity since April 2018. Similar activity continued during February-May 2019, the period covered in this report with information provided primarily by the Indonesian volcano monitoring agency, Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), MAGMA Indonesia, notices from the Darwin Volcano Ash Advisory Center (Darwin VAAC), and satellite data. PVMBG has maintained an Alert Level II (of 4) at Kerinci for several years.

On 13 February 2019 the Kerinci Volcano Observatory (KVO), part of PVMBG, noted a brownish-white ash emission that was drifting NE about 400 m above the summit. The seismicity during the event was dominated by continuous volcanic tremor. A brown ash emission was reported on 7 March 2019 that rose to 3.9 km altitude and drifted NE. Ash also drifted 1,300 m down the SE flank. Another ash plume the next morning drifted W at 4.5 km altitude, according to KVO. On 10, 11, and 13 March KVO reported brown ash plumes drifting NE from the summit at about 4.0-4.3 km altitude. The Darwin VAAC observed continuous ash emissions in satellite imagery on 15 March drifting W at 4.3 m altitude that dissipated after about 3 hours (figure 10). A gray ash emission was reported on 19 March about 600 m above the summit drifting NE; local news media noted that residents of Kayo Aro reported emissions on both 18 and 19 March (figure 11). An ash emission appeared in satellite imagery on 25 March (figure 10). On 30 March the observatory reported two ash plumes; a brown emission at 0351 UTC and a gray emission at 0746 UTC that both drifted NE at about 4.4 km altitude and dissipated within a few hours. PVMBG reported another gray ash plume the following day at a similar altitude.

Figure 10. Sentinel-2 satellite imagery of Kerinci from 15 (left) and 25 (right) March 2019 showed evidence of ash plumes rising from the summit. Kerinci's summit crater is about 500 m wide. "Geology" rendering (bands 12, 4, 2), courtesy of Sentinel Hub Playground.

Figure 11. Dense ash plumes from Kerinci were reported by local news media on 18 and 19 March 2019. Courtesy of Nusana Jambi.

Activity continued during April with a brown ash emission reported on 3 April by several different agencies; the Darwin VAAC and PVMBG daily reports noted that the plume was about 500 m above the summit (4.3 km altitude) drifting NE. KVO observed two brown ash emissions on 13 April (UTC) that rose to 4.2 km altitude and drifted NE. Satellite imagery showed minor ash emissions from the summit on 14 April; steam plumes 100-500 m above the summit characterized activity for the remainder of April (figure 12).

Figure 12. A dilute ash emission rose from the summit of Kerinci on 14 April 2019 (left); only steam emissions were present on a clear 29 April in Sentinel-2 imagery (right). "Geology" rendering (bands 12, 4, 2), courtesy of Sentinel Hub Playground.

Ashfall on the NE and S flanks within 7 km of the volcano was reported on 2 May 2019. According to a news article, at least five villages were affected late on 2 May, including Tanjung Bungo, Sangir, Sangir Tengah, Sungai Rumpun, and Bendung Air (figures 13 and 14). The smell of sulfur was apparent in the villages. Brown ash emissions were observed on 3 and 4 May that rose to 4.6 and 4.1 km altitude and drifted SE. The Darwin VAAC reported an emission on 5 May, based on a pilot report, that rose to 6.7 km altitude and drifted NE for about an hour before dissipating. A brown ash emission on 10 May rose 700 m above the summit and drifted SE. Satellite imagery captured ash emissions from the summit on 14 and 24 May (figure 15). For the remainder of the month, 300-700-m-high dense steam plumes were noted daily until PVMBG reported white and brown plumes on 26 and 27 May rising 500-1,000 m above the summit. Although thermal anomalies were not reported during the period, persistent weak SO₂ emissions were identified in TROPOMI instrument satellite data multiple times per month (figure 16).

Figure 13. Ashfall was reported from five villages on the flanks of Kerinci on 2 May 2019. Courtesy of Uzone.

Figure 14. An ash plume at Kerinci rose hundreds of meters on 2 May 2019; ashfall was reported in several nearby villages. Courtesy of Kerinci Time.

Figure 15. Ash emissions from Kerinci were captured in Sentinel-2 satellite imagery on 14 (left) and 24 (right) May 2019. The summit crater is about 500 m wide. "Geology" rendering (bands 12, 4, 2), courtesy of Sentinel Hub Playground.

Figure 16. Weak SO2 anomalies from Kerinci emissions were captured by the TROPOMI instrument on the Sentinel-5P satellite multiple times each month from February to May 2019. Courtesy of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Information Contacts: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); MAGMA Indonesia, Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (URL: https://magma.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Sentinel Hub Playground (URL: https://www.sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground); Global Sulfur Dioxide Monitoring Page, Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC), 8800 Greenbelt Road, Goddard, Maryland, USA (URL: https://so2.gsfc.nasa.gov/); Nuansa Jambi, Informasi Utama Jambi: (URL: https://nuansajambi.com/2019/03/20/gunung-kerinci-semburkan-asap-tebal/); Kerinci Time (URL: https://kerincitime.co.id/gunung-kerinci-semburkan-abu-vulkanik.html); Uzone.id (URL: https://news.uzone.id/gunung-kerinci-erupsi-5-desa-tertutup-abu-tebal).

December 2019 (BGVN 44:12) Cite this Report

Intermittent gas-and-steam and ash plumes during June-early November 2019

Kerinci, located in Sumatra, Indonesia, is a highly active volcano characterized by explosive eruptions with ash plumes and gas-and-steam emissions. The most recent eruptive episode began in April 2018 and included intermittent explosions with ash plumes. Volcanism continued from June-November 2019 with ongoing intermittent gas-and-steam and ash plumes. The primary source of information for this report comes from Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), and MAGMA Indonesia.

Brown- to gray-colored ash clouds drifting in different directions were reported by PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC, and MAGMA Indonesia between June and early November 2019. Ground observations, satellite imagery, and weather models were used to monitor the plume, which ranged from 4.3 to 4.9 km altitude, or about 500-1,100 m above the summit. On 7 June 2019 at 0604 a gray ash emission rose 800 m above the summit, drifting E, according to a ground observer. An ash plume on 12 July rose to 4 km altitude and drifted SW, as determined by satellite imagery and weather models. An eruption produced a gray ash cloud on 31 July that rose to 4.6 km altitude and drifted NE and E, according to PVMBG and the Darwin VAAC (figure 17). Another ash cloud rose up to 4.3 km altitude on 3 August. On 2 September a possible ash plume rose to a maximum altitude of 4.9 km and drifted WSW, according to the Darwin VAAC advisory.

Figure 17. A gray ash plume at Kerinci rose roughly 800 m above the summit on 31 July 2019 and drifted NE and E. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia.

Brown ash emissions rose to 4.4 km altitude at 1253 on 6 October, drifting WSW. Similar plumes reached 4.6 km altitude twice on 30 October and moved NE, SE, and E at 0614 and WSW at 1721, based on ground observations. On 1-2 November, ground observers saw brown ash emissions rising up to 4.3 km drifting ESE. Between 3 and 5 November the brown ash plumes rose 100-500 m above the summit, according to PVMBG.

Gas emissions continued to be observed through November, as reported by PVMBG and identified in satellite imagery (figure 18). Seismicity that included volcanic earthquakes also continued between June and early November, when the frequency decreased.

Figure 18. Sentinel-2 thermal satellite imagery showing a typical white gas-and-steam plume at Kerinci on 9 August 2019. Sentinel-2 satellite image with "Atmospheric penetration" (bands 12, 11, 8A) rendering; courtesy of Sentinel Hub Playground.

Information Contacts: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/); MAGMA Indonesia, Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (URL: https://magma.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Sentinel Hub Playground (URL: https://www.sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground).

July 2020 (BGVN 45:07) Cite this Report

Intermittent ash emissions during January-early May 2020

Kerinci is a stratovolcano located in Sumatra, Indonesia that has been characterized by explosive eruptions with ash plumes and gas-and-steam emissions. The most recent eruptive episode began in April 2018 which has included intermittent explosions and ash plumes. The previous report (BGVN 44:12) described more recent activity consisting of intermittent gas-and-steam and ash plumes which occurred during June through early November 2019. This volcanism continued through May 2020, though little to no activity was reported during December 2019. The primary source of information for this report comes from Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM) and the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC).

Activity during December 2019 consisted of white gas-and-steam emissions rising 100-500 m above the summit. White and brown emissions continued intermittently through May 2020, rising to a maximum altitude of 1 km above the summit on 14 April. During 3-6 and 8-9 January 2020, the Darwin VAAC and PVMBG issued notices reporting brown volcanic ash rising 150-600 m above the summit drifting S and ESE (figure 19). PVMBG published a VONA notice on 24 January at 0828 reporting ash rising 400 m above the summit. Brown emissions continued intermittently throughout the reporting period. On 1 February, volcanic ash was observed rising 300-960 m above the summit and drifting NE; PVMBG reported continuing brown emissions during 1-3 February. During 16-17 February, two VONA notices reported that brown ash plumes rose 150-400 m above the summit and drifted SW accompanied by consistent white gas-and-steam emissions (figure 20).

Figure 19. Brown ash plume rose 500-600 m above Kerinci on 4 January 2020. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia via Øystein Lund Andersen.

Figure 20. White gas-and-steam emissions rose 400 m above Kerinci on 19 February 2020. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia via Øystein Lund Andersen.

During 1-16 and 25-26 March 2020 brown ash emissions were frequently observed rising 100-500 m above the summit drifting in multiple directions. During 6-8 and 10-15, April brown ash emissions were reported 50-1,000 m above the summit. The most recent Darwin VAAC and VONA notices were published on 14 April, reporting volcanic ash rising 400 and 600 m above the summit, respectively; however, PVMBG reported brown emissions rising up to 1,000 m. By 25-27 April brown ash emissions rose 50-300 m above the summit. Intermittent white gas-and-steam emissions continued through May. The last brown emissions seen in May were reported on the 7th rising 50-100 m above the summit.

Information Contacts: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/); MAGMA Indonesia, Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (URL: https://magma.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Sentinel Hub Playground (URL: https://www.sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground); Øystein Lund Andersen (Twitter: @OysteinLAnderse, https://twitter.com/OysteinLAnderse, URL: http://www.oysteinlundandersen.com, images at https://twitter.com/OysteinLAnderse/status/1213658331564269569/photo/1 and https://twitter.com/OysteinLAnderse/status/1230419965209018369/photo/1).

December 2020 (BGVN 45:12) Cite this Report

Intermittent ash plumes and gas-and-steam emissions during June-November 2020

Kerinci, located in Sumatra, Indonesia, has had numerous explosive eruptions since 1838, with more recent activity characterized by gas-and-steam and ash plumes. The current eruptive episode began in April 2018 and has recently consisted of intermittent brown ash emissions and white gas-and-steam emissions (BGVN 45:07); similar activity continued from June through November 2020. Information primarily comes from the Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM, or the Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation), MAGMA Indonesia, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), and satellite data.

Activity has been characterized by dominantly white and brown gas-and-steam emissions and occasional ash plumes, according to PVMBG. Near daily gas-and-steam emissions were observed rising 50-6,400 m above the crater throughout the reporting period: beginning in late July and continuing intermittently though November. [Sentinel-2 satellite imagery showed frequent brown emissions rising above the summit crater at varying intensities and drifting in different directions from 27 July 2020 to 4 November, though the intensity gradually declined over time (figure 21).]

Figure 21. Sentinel-2 satellite imagery of brown emissions at Kerinci from July through November 2020 drifting in multiple directions. On 27 July (top left) the brown emissions drifted SW. On 31 August (top right) the brown emissions drifted W. On 2 September (bottom left) slightly weaker brown emissions drifting W. On 4 November (bottom right) weak brown emissions mostly remained within the crater, some of which drifted E. Images using “Natural Color” rendering (bands 4, 3, 2), courtesy of Sentinel Hub Playground.

During June through July the only activity reported by PVMBG consisted of white gas-and-steam emissions and brown emissions. On 4 June white gas-and-steam emissions rose to a maximum height of 6.4 km above the crater. White-and-brown emissions rose to a maximum height of 700 m above the crater on 2 June and 28 July.

Continuous white-and-brown gas-and-steam emissions were reported in August that rose 50-1,000 m above the crater. The number of ash plumes reported during this month increased compared to the previous months. In a Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) issued on 7 August at 1024, PVMBG reported an ash plume that rose 600 m above the crater and drifted E, SE, and NE. In addition, the Darwin VAAC released two notices that described continuous minor ash emissions rising to 4.3 km altitude and drifting E and NE. On 9 August an ash plume rose 600 m above the crater and drifted ENE at 1140. An ash plume was observed rising to a maximum of 1 km above the crater, drifting E, SE, and NE on 12 August at 1602, according to a PVMBG VONA and Darwin VAAC advisory. The following day, brown emissions rose to a maximum of 1 km above the crater and were accompanied by a 600-m-high ash plume that drifted ENE at 1225. Ground observers on 15 August reported an eruption column that rose to 4.6 km altitude; PVMBG described brown ash emissions up to 800 m above the crater drifting NW at 0731 (figure 22). During 20-21 August pilots reported an ash plume rising 150-770 m above the crater drifting NE and SW, respectively.

Figure 22. Webcam image of an ash plume rising above Kerinci on 15 August 2020. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia.

Activity in September had decreased slightly compared to the previous month, characterized by only white-and-brown gas-and-steam emissions that rose 50-300 m above the crater; solely brown emissions were observed on 30 September and rose 50-100 m above the crater. This low level of activity persisted into October, with white gas-and-steam emissions to 50-200 m above the crater and brown emissions rising 50-300 m above the crater. On 16 October PVMBG released a VONA at 0340 that reported an ash plume rising 687 m above the crater and drifting NE. On 17 October white, brown, and black ash plumes that rose 100-800 m above the crater drifted NE according to both PVMBG and a Darwin VAAC advisory (figure 23). During 18-19 October white, brown, and black ash emissions rose up to 400 m above the crater and drifted NE and E.

Figure 23. Webcam image of a brown ash emission from Kerinci on 17 October 2020. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia.

Information Contacts: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); MAGMA Indonesia, Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (URL: https://magma.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/); Sentinel Hub Playground (URL: https://www.sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground).

July 2021 (BGVN 46:07) Cite this Report

Gas-and-steam and occasional ash plumes during December 2020-June 2021

Kerinci is located in Sumatra, Indonesia, and has had numerous moderate explosive eruptions since 1838. Its most recent eruption began in April 2018 and has been characterized by intermittent gas-and-steam and ash plumes through November 2020 (BGVN 45:12). This report covers and similar, but relatively low activity during December 2020 through June 2021 based on information from the Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM, or the Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation), the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), and satellite imagery.

Volcanic earthquakes and intermittent white-to-brown gas-and-steam plumes rose 50-800 m above the summit during December 2020 through June 2021 (figure 24); the volcano was often obscured by clouds. Brown ash plumes filling much of the crater could be observed in satellite imagery on 21 and 26 December 2020 and 5 and 8 January 2021. During 21-22 March, PVMBG and the Darwin VAAC reported an ash plume that rose 600 m above the summit and drifted SW. Small plumes of steam and possibly ash were present in a clear satellite view of the crater on 8 April. On 31 May at 0614 an ash plume rose 700 m above the summit and drifted NW, based on ground reports. An ash plume on 6 June rose to 4 km altitude and extended WNW according to HIMAWARI-8 satellite imagery. Another ash plume was reported at 1730 on 13 June that rose 700 m above the summit and drifted W.

Figure 24. Sentinel-2 satellite imagery of brown, white, and gray emissions at Kerinci during 21 December (top left) 2020, 5 January (top right), 8 April (bottom left), and 17 June (bottom right) 2021. The brown emissions mostly remained within the crater area. The gray emissions drifted NE. Images using “Natural Color” rendering (bands 4, 3, 2). Courtesy of Sentinel Hub Playground.

Information Contacts: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/); Sentinel Hub Playground (URL: https://www.sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground).

March 2023 (BGVN 48:03) Cite this Report

Eruption during October 2022-February 2023 with minor ash plumes

Kerinci, a stratovolcano in central Sumatra, Indonesia, has had numerous moderate explosive eruptions since 1838. The previous eruption lasted from April 2018 until June 2021 and included intermittent gas-and-steam and ash plumes (BGVN 43:07, 46:07). This report covers activity during July 2021-February 2023, and is based on data from the Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG), also known as the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), and satellites.

A new eruption began on 15 October 2022, when observers reported plumes with brown, gray, or black ash that drifted downwind a short distance above the crater, with the highest rising 1.2 km on 12 January 2023; the last reported ash plume was on 27 February 2023. Weather clouds obscured the volcano on most days, allowing only infrequent good webcam photos or satellite images. Although ash plumes were often seen, white steam-and-gas plumes were also visible on many days. There were no thermal anomalies detected over the course of this activity in Sentinel-2 or MODIS data. Though infrequently observed by the TROPOMI instrument aboard the Sentinel-5P satellite, the sulfur dioxide plumes that were detected were localized above the volcano.

According to PVMBG’s MAGMA-Indonesia daily reports from July 2021 through early October 2022, no explosions or ash emissions were observed; white emissions were observed most days when weather permitted. The Darwin VAAC issued an advisory for a plume on 14 October 2021 that reached as high as 750 m, but no ash was identified in satellite data and PVMBG only observed a white steam-and-gas plume. During 15-16 October a new eruption began with a steam-and-ash plumes that rose about 50-350 m above the summit (figure 25) and drifted NE. According to PVMBG and the Darwin VAAC, on 19 October, at 0620 and 0815, ash plumes rose 500-700 m above the summit. On most subsequent days in October ash emissions were visible rising 300-750 m above the summit and drifting primarily NE and NW.

Figure 25. Webcam photo of Kerinci on 16 October 2022 showing a gray ash plume rising from the summit crater. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia.

In November, ash plumes rose 150-400 m and drifted in various directions. At 0830 on 27 November an ash plume rose 400 m and drifted E. During 29-30 November, white steam-and-gas plumes rose 300 m. During December, frequent ash plumes and white steam-and-gas plumes rose 100-300 m almost daily, except for an ash plume at 0822 on 6 December which rose 700 m and drifted SW. According to PVMBG, the amplitude of continuous tremor increased during 28-29 December.

The eruption was ongoing during 4-8 January with brown, brown-to-gray, or white-and-brown ash plumes rising as high as 200 m above the crater rim and drifting NE and E. During 10-14 January daily ash plumes that were brown or gray rose generally 400-900 m above the summit and drifted N, NE, and W. At 1810 on 12 January a dense gray ash plume rose 1.2 km above the summit and drifted NW.

An eruptive event was recorded at 0230 on 3 February but not visually confirmed; white-and-gray ash plumes were visible later that day rising 100 m above the summit and drifting NE and E. Plumes with brown or gray ash were visible when conditions were clear, typically in the early morning hours, during 4-10 and 14 February, with small plumes only reaching 150-200 m above the summit and drifting in easterly directions. At 1207 on 15 February a dense brown ash plume rose 200 m and drifted E (figure 26). Dense brown ash plumes rose 150-250 m and drifted E and SE at 0908 and 1937 on 16 February. Plumes with gray or brown ash rose 50-150 m above the crater rim on 26 and 27 February.

Figure 26. Webcam photo of Kerinci showing a brown ash plume rising from the summit crater on 15 February 2023. Courtesy of MAGMA Indonesia.

Information Contacts: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, CVGHM), Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia (URL: http://www.vsi.esdm.go.id/); MAGMA Indonesia, Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (URL: https://magma.esdm.go.id/v1); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Bureau of Meteorology, Northern Territory Regional Office, PO Box 40050, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia (URL: http://www.bom.gov.au/info/vaac/); Global Sulfur Dioxide Monitoring Page, Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Laboratory, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA/GSFC), 8800 Greenbelt Road, Goddard, Maryland, USA (URL: https://so2.gsfc.nasa.gov/); Sentinel Hub Playground (URL: https://www.sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground); MIROVA (Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity), a collaborative project between the Universities of Turin and Florence (Italy) supported by the Centre for Volcanic Risk of the Italian Civil Protection Department (URL: http://www.mirovaweb.it/).