🌋VolcanoAtlas

Karangetang

Indonesia's Relentless Island Volcano

Elevation

1,797 m

Last Eruption

2023

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

Indonesia

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskHigh
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity3 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

Related Volcanoes

All Indonesia Volcanoes
Explore by country
Stratovolcano Volcanoes
By volcano type
Sangihe Archipelago, North Sulawesi
Regional volcanoes

Other Volcanoes in Indonesia

Interesting Facts

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Karangetang has erupted more than 60 times since 1675, making it one of the most frequently active volcanoes in all of Indonesia.

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The volcano's alternative name, Api Siau, translates to 'Fire of Siau' in the local Sangirese language.

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Siau Island, entirely dominated by the Karangetang edifice, measures only 17 km by 8 km yet supports roughly 22,000 residents.

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Five summit craters are aligned on a north–south axis across the peak — an unusual configuration reflecting deep structural controls.

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Pyroclastic flows from the summit can reach the coast in under ten minutes due to the volcano's steep flanks and short run-out distance of approximately 5 km.

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Siau Island is one of Indonesia's largest producers of cloves, cultivated on the fertile lower slopes of the volcano.

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The volcano sits on the Sangihe Volcanic Arc, formed by the rare double subduction of the Molucca Sea Plate beneath both the Sangihe and Halmahera arcs.

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Karangetang was active in every single decade of the 20th century, with 37 recorded eruptions between 1900 and 1999.

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The submarine base of the Karangetang edifice rises approximately 3,000 m from the seafloor, making the total structure far larger than the visible island.

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Evacuation from Siau Island must occur by sea, as the island has no airport — a major constraint on emergency response planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Karangetang volcano still active?
Yes, Karangetang (Api Siau) is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. Its most recent confirmed eruption occurred in 2023, and it has produced over 60 eruptions since records began in 1675. The volcano was active in every decade of the 20th century. Indonesia's PVMBG monitors Karangetang continuously, and its alert level frequently fluctuates between Advisory and Watch status. Volcanologists consider future eruptions virtually certain given its persistent activity pattern.
Where is Karangetang volcano located?
Karangetang is located at the northern end of Siau Island in the Sangihe Archipelago, part of North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The island lies approximately 125 km north-northeast of the northeastern tip of Sulawesi in the Molucca Sea. Its precise coordinates are 2.781°N, 125.407°E. The volcano dominates the small island and is the highest point in the entire Sangihe chain at 1,797 m (5,896 ft).
How dangerous is Karangetang volcano?
Karangetang is considered one of Indonesia's most dangerous volcanoes due to the combination of frequent eruptions, steep topography, and the close proximity of approximately 22,000 residents on Siau Island. Pyroclastic flows can travel from the summit to the coast in under ten minutes. The island's lack of an airport means evacuation must occur by sea, severely limiting emergency response options. Multiple eruptions in recent decades have caused fatalities, property destruction, and forced evacuations of thousands of people.
What type of volcano is Karangetang?
Karangetang is a stratovolcano (also called a composite volcano), built from alternating layers of lava flows and pyroclastic deposits. Its magma is andesitic to basaltic-andesitic in composition. The volcano features five summit craters and produces eruptions ranging from effusive lava dome growth to explosive Strombolian and Vulcanian events. It formed through the subduction of the Molucca Sea Plate beneath the Sangihe microplate.
How tall is Karangetang?
Karangetang's summit reaches 1,797 m (5,896 ft) above sea level, making it the highest point on Siau Island and in the Sangihe Archipelago. However, the total height of the volcanic edifice is much greater: it rises approximately 3,000 m from the seafloor of the Molucca Sea. By comparison, it is taller than many well-known Indonesian volcanoes such as Gamalama at 1,715 m but shorter than giants like Semeru at 3,657 m.
What was Karangetang's worst eruption?
The most destructive recent eruption occurred in 2010, when a VEI 3 event produced pyroclastic flows that killed at least four people and forced the evacuation of over 1,000 residents from coastal villages. The 1983 and 1999 eruptions, also rated VEI 3, caused significant damage and prompted large-scale evacuations. Historical records from earlier centuries are less detailed, but the first recorded eruption in 1675 (VEI 3) was noted for causing devastation on the island.
How often does Karangetang erupt?
Karangetang is one of the most frequently erupting volcanoes in the world. Since records began in 1675, it has produced over 60 confirmed eruptions — an average of roughly one eruption every 5–6 years. In the 20th century alone, 37 eruptions were recorded, averaging one every 2–3 years. Activity ranges from minor ash emissions to significant VEI 3 explosive eruptions with pyroclastic flows.