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Ijen Volcano

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 09:44 GMT -
Stratovolcano 2799 m / 9,183 ft
East Java, Indonesia, -8.06°S / 114.24°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 14 Oct 2023 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)
The acid Kawah Ijen crater lake of Ijen volcano
The acid Kawah Ijen crater lake of Ijen volcano

Ijen volcano in East Java contains the world's largest acidic volcanic crater lake, called Kawah Ijen, famous for its turquoise color. The active crater measuring 950x600 m is known for its rich sulphur deposits which are being quarried.
The volcano is one of several active stratovolcanoes constructed over the 20 km wide Ijen caldera, the largest caldera in Java.
Eruptions from Ijen are very hazardous because of the risk of the lake draining to form catastrophic lahars.

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Typical eruption style: Explosive. Contains a large acid crater lake, intense fumarolic activity.
Ijen volcano eruptions: 1796, 1817, 1917, 1936, 1952, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2000(?), 2002(?)

Latest nearby earthquakes

No recent earthquakes
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Background

The Ijen volcano complex at the eastern end of Java consists of a group of small stratovolcanoes constructed within the large 20-km-wide Ijen (Kendeng) caldera. The north caldera wall forms a prominent arcuate ridge, but elsewhere the caldera rim is buried by post-caldera volcanoes, including Gunung Merapi stratovolcano, which forms the 2799 m high point of the Ijen complex. Immediately west of Gunung Merapi is the renowned historically active Kawah Ijen volcano, which contains a nearly 1-km-wide, turquoise-colored, acid crater lake. Picturesque Kawah Ijen is the world's largest highly acidic lake and is the site of a labor-intensive sulfur mining operation in which sulfur-laden baskets are hand-carried from the crater floor. Many other post-caldera cones and craters are located within the caldera or along its rim. The largest concentration of post-caldera cones forms an E-W-trending zone across the southern side of the caldera. Coffee plantations cover much of the Ijen caldera floor, and tourists are drawn to its waterfalls, hot springs, and dramatic volcanic scenery.

Ijen Volcano Photos

Latest satellite images

Ijen satellite image sat1Ijen satellite image sat2
Ijen Volcano Tours
Java (Indonesia)
From Krakatau to Bali
16-day study and photo tour to Java, Indonesia
16 days / 15 nights - Easy to Moderate
Price 3180 €
Custom and group dates
2-17 Jun 2024
8-23 Jul 2024
2-17 Aug 2024
Java (Indonesia)
Volcanoes of Java
17-day walking and trekking tour on Java
17 days / 16 nights - Moderate to Challenging
Price 3120 €
3-19 Jun 2024
9-25 Jul 2024
3-19 Aug 2024
East Java (Indonesia)
Volcanoes of East Java
5 days walking tour to Bromo, Semeru and Ijen (Incl. Semeru observatory)
5 days - Custom (variable)
Price depending on nr of people and program
Custom tour dates
East Java (Indonesia)
Bromo, Semeru, Ijen
trekking tour to Semeru, Bromo, Ijen volcanoes (East Java)
7-9 days - Moderate to Challenging
Price depending on nr of persons and itinerary
Custom and group dates
Sulphur steam coming out from the pipes that collect sulphur steam
Sulphur steam coming out from the pipes that collect sulphur steam
The acid blue crater lake of Ijen volcano
The acid blue crater lake of Ijen volcano
Gullied, eroded crater walls of Ijen volcano
Gullied, eroded crater walls of Ijen volcano
Close up of the condensating and sublimating sulphur vapor
Close up of the condensating and sublimating sulphur vapor
Sulphur quarry at Ijen volcano
Sulphur quarry at Ijen volcano
Sulfur miner at Ijen volcano carrying baskets of solid sulfur up from the crater.
Sulfur miner at Ijen volcano carrying baskets of solid sulfur up from the crater.

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