Gede-Pangrango (Indonesia): Recorded Eruptions and Historical Activity

Gede-Pangrango is a stratovolcano complex located in Indonesia, standing at an elevation of 3,026 meters within a subduction zone and continental crust tectonic setting. Official records from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program document a total of 22 confirmed eruptions between 1747 and 1957. All recorded eruptions within this collection rely on reported observations.

Historical Eruption Timeline and Centuries

The documented eruptive history of Gede-Pangrango spans three centuries, characterized by varying levels of explosive activity measured by the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). The earliest recorded eruption began in 1747 and ended in 1748 with a VEI of 3.0. Across the entire recorded timeline, activity is distributed across the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries CE:

• 18th century CE: 2 confirmed eruptions
• 19th century CE: 15 confirmed eruptions
• 20th century CE: 5 confirmed eruptions

Notable Recorded Eruptions

While the collection contains 22 confirmed events, several representative records illustrate the historical activity patterns:

• 1747–1748: The earliest recorded eruption in the dataset, starting in 1747 and concluding in 1748 with a VEI of 3.0.
• 1845: An eruption spanning from January 23, 1845, to March 5, 1845, with a VEI of 2.0.
• 1853: A short-duration event recorded on March 14, 1853, reaching a VEI of 3.0.
• 1866: An eruption beginning on September 18, 1866, with a VEI of 2.0.
• 1957: The latest confirmed eruption in the official record, occurring on March 13, 1957, with a VEI of 2.0.

Explosivity and Record Scope

The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for the recorded events ranges across the historical timeline, with a largest recorded VEI of 3.0. All 22 confirmed eruptions have associated VEI observations. The latest recorded eruption in the database concluded on March 13, 1957.