Rinjani (Indonesia): Recorded Eruptions and Historical Activity

Rinjani is a stratovolcano located in Indonesia, standing at an elevation of 3,726 meters in a subduction zone and continental crust tectonic setting. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the volcano has a recorded history comprising 19 confirmed eruptions spanning from 600 BCE to 2016 CE.

Overview of Recorded Eruptions

The historical record for Rinjani captures activity across multiple centuries, determined via various evidence methods such as uncalibrated radiocarbon dating, ice core records, and direct human observations. The confirmed eruptions vary in scale, reaching up to a maximum recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 7.0.

The distribution of confirmed eruptions across centuries in the official record includes:

• 6th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
• 13th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
• 19th century CE: 3 confirmed eruptions
• 20th century CE: 10 confirmed eruptions
• 21st century CE: 4 confirmed eruptions

Notable Historical Activity

Among the earliest entries in the eruption record is an event dated to 600 BCE, noted via uncalibrated radiocarbon evidence. Centuries later, an eruption in July 1257 at the Samalas activity area reached a VEI of 7.0, as documented through sidereal ice core evidence.

Later historical records feature numerous events at specific local activity areas, such as Gunung Barujari, the northwest flank of Barujari (Rombongan), and the Barujari Crater. For example, observations reported an eruption at Gunung Barujari lasting from November 30 to December 2, 1900, with a VEI of 2.0. Another reported eruption occurred at the northwest flank of Barujari (Rombongan) between December 25, 1944, and January 1, 1945, also with a VEI of 2.0.

The latest recorded eruption in the dataset began on August 1, 2016, at the Barujari Crater and ended on September 27, 2016, carrying a VEI of 2.0 based on reported observations. The profile's last known eruption year is listed as 2016.