Mount Sinabung

Sinabung, Sumatra

The Sinabung ( Indonesian Gunung Sinabung ) is a volcano in the north of the Indonesian island of Sumatra in the province of North Sumatra near the town of Berastagi, 25 kilometers north- west of Lake Toba and about 50 km southwest of Medan. The eruption of Sinabung 29 August 2010 was the first known eruption secured in the last 400 years. Climbs often start from Kabanjahe and Pematang Siantar.

Geology

The resulting Pleistocene or Holocene stratovolcano has on its flanks on numerous lava flows. The Pinnacle has an elongated shape, since earlier outbreaks were several summit craters along a line running approximately north-south direction line. The youngest crater of andesite and dacite formed from volcano is located at the southern end of the summit crater complex.

Volcanic activity

1912 solfataras were observed in the area of the summit and upper flanks.

After an outbreak in August 2010, more than 18,000 people fled or were brought to safety. In a second eruption, the number of refugees increased to 27,000. Volcanic ash reached the metropolis of Medan. In a third eruption on September 3, the hitherto most violent since the recrudescence, hurled the volcano several kilometers high ash fountain in the atmosphere. The accompanying earthquake was felt in 8 km away.

2013

On the morning of September 15, 2013, the Sinabung erupted again. Until 18 September, four eruptions occurred. Thousands of people were evacuated within a radius of three kilometers from eleven villages. In another outbreak in the morning of November 3, a seven- mile-high column of smoke could be observed. A zone of three kilometers within the volcano was evacuated. On 14 November 2013, a pyroclastic flow on the southeast flank of the volcano flowed down. On November 18, 2013 ash cloud was ejected after an explosion, which rose up to 11.3 km altitude .. In the night of 23 24 November 2013 made ​​further eruptions, which resulted in the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological emergency proclaimed the highest warning level. Tens of thousands of residents were evacuated.

2014

The series of eruptions continues in 2014. On January 4, more than 50 outbreaks were observed. The safety zone around the volcano has been extended from five to seven kilometers. On the night of January 14, numerous volcanic flashes were observed in the clouds of pyroclastic flows. This phenomenon is relatively rare and often only occurs with significantly stronger volcanic eruptions. The ash precipitation allowed the plants to wither on the fields. Many roofs collapsed under the weight of volcanic ash. Particularly affected was the village Sigarang Garang. On February 1, there was a stronger eruption, which ( at least ) called 14 deaths among the population living in the vicinity. About 30,000 people had to leave their homes.