Volcanoes in Indonesia

Introduction

The archipelago of Indonesia consists of more than 13,000 islands, spread over an area that is similar in size to that of the continental United States. It is the country with the greatest number and density of active volcanoes.

Most volcanoes in Indonesia belong to the Sunda Volcanic Arc, streching over 3,000 kilometers from NW Sumatra to the Banda Sea. This volcanic arc results from the subduction of Indian Ocean crust beneath the Asian Plate and includes 76% of the region's volcanoes. To the NNW, the basaltic volcanism of the Andaman Islands results from short spreading centers, and to the east the Banda Arc reflects Pacific Ocean crust subducted westward. North of this arc, the tectonic setting is much more complex: several fragments of plates are converging  to form multiple subduction zones, mainly oriented N-S. These produce the Sulawesi-Sangihe volcanoes on the west and Haimahera on the east of the collision zone.

Indonesia leads the world in many volcano statistics. It has the largest number of historically active volcanoes (76), its total of 1,171 dated eruptions is only narrowly exceeded by Japan's 1,274, although not much is know about the volcanic activity in the time before European colonialists arrived from the 15th century on. Indonesia has suffered the highest numbers of eruptions producing fatalities, damage to arable land, mudflows, tsunamis, domes, and pyroclastic flows. Four-fifths of Indonesian volcanoes with dated eruptions have erupted in this century.

Two of the most devastating volcanic eruptinos in historic time took place in Indonesia: the enormous eruption of Tambora in 1815,- the largest known eruption of the world during historical times,- had such far-reaching effects on the climate that for instance Europe was to experience 1816 as the year without summer. In 1883, the disastrous eruption of Krakatau carved itself deeply into the collective memory of mankind. The eruption of Krakatau was followed by severe tsunamis that killed about 30-40,000 people.

In 1920, a volcano survey was established by the Dutch-led government, leading to much improved volcano monitoring and reporting. The Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI) now operates a network of 64 volcano observatories continuously monitoring 59 volcanoes.

Are you fascinated by the beauty, wildlife and power of nature? … Do you dream of seeing legendary  volcano, wildlife or tribe?

We offer expeditions and adventure or study tours to Anak krakatoa Volcano and  Ujung Kulon National Park or Baduy Community  for small groups and individuals. Whether you need competent logistic support or just want to enjoy an unusual vacation, you have found the right place and the right people.

Krakatau or Krakatoa

The legendary Krakatau lies about 60 km from Carita Beach. Today only a small part of the origin volcano remains, but when Krakatau blew itself apart in 1883, in one of the world’s greatest and the most catastrophic eruptions, the effects were recorded far beyond Sunda strait and it achieved instant and lasting infamy.
For centuries Krakatau had been a familiar nautical landmark for much of the world’s maritime traffic  which was funneled through the narrow Sunda Strait. The volcano had been dormant since 1680 and was widely regarded as extinct but from may through to early August in 1883 passing ship reported moderate activity, by 26 August Krakatau was raging and explosions become more and more violent. At 10 am on 27 August Krakatau erupted with the biggest bang ever recorded on earth. On the island Rodriguez more than 4600 km to the SW, police chief reported hearing booming of “ heavy guns from eastward’; in Alice Spring, 3500 km to the SE , Resident also reported hearing strange explosions from the NW.
With its cataclysmic explosion, Krakatau sent up a recorded column of ash 80 km high and threw to air nearly 20 cubic km of rock. Ash felt on Singapore 840 km to the North and on ships as far as 600 km away; the darkness covered Sunda Strait from 10 am on 27 until dawn the next day. Giant tsunamis more than 40 meters high swept over the nearby shores of Java and Sumatra; and the sea wave’s passage was recorded far from Krakatau reaching Aden in 12 hrs over a distance ‘ traveled by good steamer in 12 days. Coastal java and Sumatra were devastated; 165 villages were destroyed and more than 40.000 people killed.
The following days telegram sent to Singapore from Batavia (160 km east Krakatau) reported odd details such as’ fish dizzy and caught with glee by native’! Three months later the dust thrown into the atmosphere caused such vivid sunsets in USA that fire engines were being called out to quench the apparent fires and for three years it continued to circle the earth, creating strange  and spectacular sunset
The astonishing return of life to the devastated island has been the subject of scientific study ever since. Not a simple palnt was found on Krakatau a few months after the event; 100 years later – although the island are virtually bereft of fauna except for snakes, insects, rats, bats and birds. It seems almost as though the vegetation was never disturbed.

Krakatau basically blew itself to smithereens, but roughly where the 1883 eruption began. Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) has been vigorously growing even since its first appearance 1927. it has a restless and un certain temperament, sending out shower of glowing rock and belching smoke and ashes but boats can land on the east side and it is possible to climright up the cinder cones to the caldera. It is a hard scramble up to the loose slopes to the outer rim with fine view s of the fuming caldera and the surrounding sea and island. We venture farther to the very lip crater but be careful. In 1993 Krakatau belched a load of molten rock on one unfortunate  tourist who ventured too close.

Come and Visit one of the legendary Volcano on earth

For Individuals or group who interested in volcanic areas among the most interesting and beautiful area in Indonesia. we offer you a range of adventure,hiking and camping tours

Krakatoa Full Day Tour
Tour type: Volcano - adventure
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Tour character: boat excursion- easy walk
Price per person: Start from USD 100 
Included: hire of boat, pick up service (Jakarta-Carita Beach: return), lunch + mineral water and guide

The itenerary

Jakarta - Carita Beach - Krakatoa
We’ll pick you  up at Jakarta Airport or in Jakarta City. We’ll meet you there  with our representative and then for the three - hour drive  to West Coast of Banten (Carita Beach) or you can drive by your own car. After the three-hour drive you’ll take a rest for a while. And we then  get onboard ready to cruise (it  takes  about 1.5 hours) Sunda Strait to “one of the world’s greatest and the most catastrophic eruptions on earth, the effects were recorded far beyond Sunda strait and it achieved instant and lasting infamy”. On the way to Krakatoa  we sometimes could see  group of dolphins (if you’re lucky). When  we arrive there the boat will surround  Anak Krakatoa where you’ll see one of live volcano in the world, it grows up around 50 cm/year. Landing on the East side of Anak Krakatoa (Child of Krakatoa ), we then hike up to the first level of Anak Krakatoa’s peak where we’ll  see molten of rocks which thrown from caldera. Afterwards, it is a short cruise to Legon Cabe beach at Rakata island (part of the origin volcano remains). It is time to explore  underwater of Krakatoa to see variety of fishes and corals reef. We’ll have lunch on the  beach. Around the beach we’ll search the monitor lizard which can be seen sometimes. Late afternoon back to Carita Beach.

Krakatoa Ujung Kulon Tour

Tour Type: Volcano and Wildlife Tour – Adventure

Difficulty: Easy - Moderate

Tour Character:  Boat Trips - Stay an overnight at Lodge

Price per person: Start from USD 200

Included: Hire of fastboat, pick up service (Jakarta-Carita: return), Lodge, meals + drink and guide

The itinerary

DAY 01: Jakarta – Carita Beach – Krakatau – Peucang Island

We pick you up at Jakarta Airport or Jakarta City. We’ll meet you there and head off to the West Banten Coast (Carita Beach) or you drive by your own car. We then drive directly to Carita Beach. After the three-hour drive you’ll take a rest for a while, and then get onboard at Marina. It is time to cruise (it takes about 1.5 hours) Sunda Strait to the one of the world’s greatest and the most catastrophic eruptions on earth, the effects were recorded far beyond Sunda Strait and it achieved instant and lasting infamy. On the way if you are lucky you can see group of dolphin. When arrive there the boat will surround the Anak Krakatau and then landing on the East side of the Anak Krakatoa volcano. We’ll hike up through the rain forest and dessert of the Anak Krakatoa. After you’ve had lunch. We then get onboard continue cruising to Peucang Island. Check in at lodge. Before dark time we’ll cross Peucang bay by boat to Cidaon grassing ground to see common wildlife animals such as; wild bull, wild pig, peacock. Dinner will be served. An overnight stay. (L/D)

DAY 02: Peucang island – Karang Copong - Carita Beach

After you’ve had Breakfast. We’ll walk North on Peucang Island passes towering forests to a rock archway beyond which are the reef pools Karang Copong. On the way, you can see kind of huge plants it’s like ficus or liana and the common animals to see; monkey, deer, peacock, Asian hornbill, wild pig and others. Take a rest at Karang Copong. Back to lodge, Lunch will be served. Check out and then sail back to Carita Beach. (B/L) Your next destination

News about: Anak Krakatau Volcano Activity updates (Indonesia>Sunda Strait, Banten)

Thursday April 12, 2012

After earthquake in Aceh on April 11, 2012 we visited on Anak Krakatau and we saw that Anak Krakatau produced ash eruption reaching 100 - 500 meter height, no explosion

Sunday April 08, 2012

Today we were visiting krakatau that activities of Anak Krakatau keep going on steaming or gassing emissions reaching 100-500 meter height and no explosion.

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