Most Recent Weekly Report: 28 August-3 September 2013 Cite this Report

CVGHM reported that the number of deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes at Guntur increased during 15-21 August; seismicity declined after that period. On 30 August at 0820 seismicity again increased, characterized by continuous tremor that lasted until 1450. At 1600 CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and reminded residents and visitors not to approach the active crater within a 2-km radius.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Most Recent Bulletin Report: April 2003 (BGVN 28:04) Cite this Report

Weekly Reports - Index

2013: May | August
2002: December

28 August-3 September 2013 Cite this Report

CVGHM reported that the number of deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes at Guntur increased during 15-21 August; seismicity declined after that period. On 30 August at 0820 seismicity again increased, characterized by continuous tremor that lasted until 1450. At 1600 CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and reminded residents and visitors not to approach the active crater within a 2-km radius.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

8 May-14 May 2013 Cite this Report

CVGHM reported that in early March a slight increase of deep and shallow volcanic-tectonic earthquakes at Guntur was recorded; volcanic tremor became continuous on 2 April, prompting CVGHM to raise the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Temperature measurements of hot springs in five different areas fluctuated until mid-April and then were relatively stable through early May. Seismicity also decreased in early May. On 7 May the Alert Level was lowered to 1.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

24 December-30 December 2002 Cite this Report

During 9-15 December higher-than-normal seismicity at Guntur led VSI to raise the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Visual observations of the summit did not reveal any surface changes or ash plumes. In comparison to the previous week, the number of shallow volcanic and tectonic earthquakes increased, while deep volcanic earthquakes decreased. Seismicity remained higher than normal during 16-22 December, but fewer earthquakes occurred than during the previous week. The Alert Level remained at 2.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 24 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Guntur.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Guntur.

Photo Gallery

The flat area to the left is Alun-Alun, the uppermost of four large craters on Papandayan volcano. The v-shaped valley in the center of the photo extending to the NE is the breach left by collapse of Papandayan volcano in 1772. The volcano in the distance on the left horizon is Gunung Guntur, another historically active volcano bordering the Garut Plain.

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1986 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Guntur is composed of older volcanic complexes on the NW and a younger group of cones on the SE. The youngest cone, Guntur (whose name means "thunder"), has been the source of frequent explosive eruptions in the 19th century. This view is from the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia observatory on the south side of the volcano. The peak at the right is Gunung Picung.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1995 (Smithsonian Institution).

The forested hills in the foreground are part of a massive, hummocky debris-avalanche deposit that originated from a prehistoric flank collapse of Guntur volcano, seen in the distance at the upper right.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1995 (Smithsonian Institution).

The older NW portion of Guntur volcano rises above a small lake at the Cipanas hot spring resort SE of the volcano. Guntur and neighboring volcanoes surrounding the plain of Garut were some of the oldest tourist destinations in Java.

Photo by J. Matehelumual, 1986 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).

Gunung Guntur at the right center is the youngest cone of the volcanic complex. It consists of a younger SW part consisting of cones lying along a NW-SE trend and an older, more eroded complex to the NW. Youthful lava flows can be seen on the lower right-hand flanks of Guntur, whose name means "thunder," a reflection of frequent eruptions in the 19th century.

Photo by Ruska Hadian, 1988 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).

Guntur volcano is viewed here from the S near the base of Papandayan, looking across rice fields in the plain of Garut. The rounded profile of Gunung Guntur, the youngest cone of the volcanic complex, appears on the right horizon.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1995 (Smithsonian Institution).

The prominent levees of a historical lava flow (center) are visible on the SE flank of Guntur. The rounded summit at the left is Gunung Guntur, the youngest peak of the volcanic complex. To the right are Gunung Batususun and Gunung Picung, part of the older massif.

Photo published in Taverne, 1926 "Vulkaanstudien op Java," (courtesy of Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).

Lava flows, some of historical age, on the SE flank of Guntur volcano, encroaching on cultivated fields. Prominent flow levees are visible on the youngest lava flow that was emplaced over levees of older flows.

Photo published in Taverne, 1926 "Vulkaanstudien op Java," (courtesy of Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).

The summit of Guntur volcano is seen here in an aerial view from the SW with the crater of Gunung Masigit in the foreground. The forested 250-350 m wide crater is about 100 m deep. A smaller crater is to the top center below the Agung crater (top). The historically active crater of Guntur is off the photo to the right.

Photo published in Taverne, 1926 "Vulkaanstudien op Java," (courtesy of Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).

GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 2 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

External Sites