Penanggungan

Stratovolcano in Indonesia

Key Facts

Elevation

1,631 m (5,351 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-7.616°, 112.620°

Region

Sunda Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Gunung Penanggungan, one of Java's most revered mountains, is a small stratovolcano immediately north of the Arjuno-Welirang massif. Numerous ruins of sanctuaries, monuments, and sacred bathing places dating from 977-1511 CE are found on the northern and western flanks. Lava flows from flank vents descend to all sides and pyroclastic-flow deposits form an apron around it.

It was mapped as similar in age to Arjuno-Welirang and Semeru volcanoes by van Bemmelen (1937). Considered to be extinct for at least 1000 years, its last eruption may have occurred about 200 CE.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate

Infrastructure RiskModerate

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

Evidence Credible

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	Unknown	Historical	Historically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Sunda-Banda 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: 263291
•Evidence: Evidence Credible
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Gunung Penanggungan, seen here from Tengger caldera to its east, was constructed immediately north of the Arjuno-Welirang massif with its flanks forming the ridge at the left. Lava flows from flank vents give the volcano an irregular profile. Lava flows have descended all flanks of the volcano and pyroclastic flow deposits form an apron around it.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1995 (Smithsonian Institution).