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Soputan

Stratovolcano in Indonesia

Last Eruption: 2020

Key Facts

Elevation

1,785 m (5,856 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

1.112°, 124.737°

Region

Sangihe Volcanic Arc

Total Eruptions

41

Max VEI

VEI 3

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Eruption Timeline

2020 CENotable

Most recent confirmed eruption

2000 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1988 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1986 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1981 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1956 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1936 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1911 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1899 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1892 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1889 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1882 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1877 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1847 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1837 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1807 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

Overview

The Soputan stratovolcano on the southern rim of the Quaternary Tondano caldera on the northern arm of Sulawesi Island is one of Sulawesi's most active volcanoes. The youthful, largely unvegetated volcano is the only active cone in the Sempu-Soputan volcanic complex, which includes the Soputan caldera, Rindengan, and Manimporok (3. 5 km ESE).

Kawah Masem maar was formed in the W part of the caldera and contains a crater lake; sulfur has been extracted from fumarolic areas in the maar since 1938. Recent eruptions have originated at both the summit crater and Aeseput, a prominent NE-flank vent that formed in 1906 and was the source of intermittent major lava flows until 1924.

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

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded Eruptions41HighHighly active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI 3ModerateLocal impact potential
Recent Activity6 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.

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: 266030
  • Evidence: Eruption Observed
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

The small Soputan stratovolcano, seen here from the west, was constructed on the southern rim of the Quaternary Tondano caldera in northern Sulawesi Island. The youthful, largely unvegetated Soputan volcano is one of Sulawesi's most active volcanoes. During historical time the locus of eruptions has included both the summit crater and Aeseput, a prominent NE flank vent that formed in 1906 and was the source of intermittent major lava flows until 1924.

Photo by Agus Solihin (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia).

Basic Information

This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.