Talang

Geography & Climate

Talang is located in Indonesia, within the Sunda Volcanic Arc of the broader Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions. Situated at 0.98° S, 100.68° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At 2,575 meters above sea level, Talang rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.

Geological Context

Talang sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Indonesia near Talang, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.

Eruption History Summary

Talang has 15 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 1833 CE to 2007 CE. The most powerful recorded event was an explosive event producing ash plumes up to several kilometers in 2007 CE, reaching VEI 2 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. This level of eruptive frequency indicates a persistently active volcanic system that warrants ongoing monitoring. With eruptive activity as recently as 2007 CE, Talang remains an actively monitored volcano.

Significance

With 15 recorded eruptions, Talang has a substantial eruptive history that provides valuable data for understanding volcanic behavior and assessing future hazards in the Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions region. Given its recent activity, Talang is closely monitored by geological survey organizations to provide early warning of future unrest.

GVP Reference Summary

Talang is part of a large volcanic edifice just NW of Dibawah Lake. An older volcanic peak, Pasar Arbaao, is ~1.5 km W. The steep-sided Talang cone exhibits fumarolic activity but has no crater; it appears to have grown within a larger caldera. Recorded eruptions have mostly involved small-to-moderate explosive activity, first documented in the 19th century, that originated from a series of small craters in a valley on the NE flank.

— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program