About Pulau Weh
Pulau Weh is a stratovolcano rising to 617 meters (2,024 feet) in Indonesia's Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Pulau Weh is located in Indonesia, within the Sunda Volcanic Arc of the broader Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions. Situated at 5.82° N, 95.28° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 617 meters above sea level, Pulau Weh is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
Pulau Weh island off the NW tip of Sumatra has been interpreted as the remains of a partially collapsed older center breached to the NW and filled by the sea. Pulau Weh was included in the Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World (Neumann van Padang 1951) based on its geothermal activity. Volcanism was assumed to be of Pleistocene age (Bennett et al., 1981), but fumaroles and hot springs are found a NW-E-trending line along the summit of the island and near the western shore of Lhok Perialakot bay on the northern side of the island.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Pulau Weh.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Pulau Weh
Is Pulau Weh an active volcano?+
Pulau Weh is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Pulau Weh?+
Pulau Weh has a summit elevation of 617 meters (2,024 feet) above sea level. At 617 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Pulau Weh?+
Pulau Weh is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Pulau Weh located?+
Pulau Weh is located in Indonesia, in the Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Sunda Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 5.820° latitude, 95.280° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Pulau Weh?+
Pulau Weh can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Indonesia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
