Gamkonora

Stratovolcano in Indonesia

Last Eruption: 2007

Key Facts

Elevation

1,635 m (5,364 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

1.380°, 127.530°

Region

Halmahera Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The shifting of eruption centers on Gamkonora, the highest peak of Halmahera, has produced an elongated series of summit craters along a N-S trending rift. Youthful-looking lava flows originate near the cones of Gunung Alon and Popolojo, south of Gamkonora. Since its first recorded eruption in the 16th century, typical activity has been small-to-moderate explosive eruptions.

Its largest recorded eruption, in 1673, was accompanied by tsunamis that inundated villages.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate

Infrastructure RiskHigh

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Silica Content

Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Eruption Observed

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	19 years ago	Recent	Recently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Watch

Dormant but monitored. Capable of renewed activity.

Nearby Volcanoes in Western Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Western Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

•Smithsonian ID: 268040
•Evidence: Eruption Observed
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Gamkonora volcano, seen here from the NW coast near Gamsungi village, is one of Halmahera's more active volcanoes. The summit crater of Gamkonora is elongated in a N-S direction, with a small crater lake at the north end. The first two historical eruptions, in 1564 or 1565, and in 1693, were the most severe, producing respectively a destructive lava flow that reached the sea, and a tsunami that inundated villages.

Photo by A. Solihin, 1984 (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).