Kie Besi
Stratovolcano in Indonesia
Key Facts
Elevation
1,357 m (4,452 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
0.320°, 127.400°
Region
Halmahera Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Kie Besi volcano, forming the 10-km-wide Makian island off the west coast of Halmahera, has been the source of infrequent, but strong eruptions that have devastated villages on the island. The large 1. 5-km-wide summit crater, containing a small lake on the NE side, gives the peak a flat-topped profile.
Two prominent valleys extend to the coast from the summit crater on the north and east sides. Four cones are found on the western flanks. Eruption have been recorded since about 1550; major eruptions in 1646, 1760-61, 1861-62, 1890, and 1988 caused extensive damage and many fatalities.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
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 | 38 years ago | Recent | Recently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Western Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 268070
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Makian volcano forms a 10-km-wide island near the southern end of a chain of volcanic islands off the western coast of Halmahera. The northern of two prominent valleys that extend from the summit is prominent in this photo. The large 1.5-km-wide summit crater containing a small lake on the NE side gives the 1357-m-high peak a flat-topped profile. Violent eruptions from Makian volcano, also known as Kie Besi, have devastated villages on the island.
Photo by Sumaryono (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.