About Ililabalekan
Ililabalekan is a stratovolcano rising to 1,018 meters (3,340 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
Ililabalekan is located in Indonesia, within the Sunda Volcanic Arc of the broader Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions. Situated at 8.55° S, 123.38° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,018 meters above sea level, Ililabalekan 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.
Geological Context
Ililabalekan 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 Ililabalekan, 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 basalt / picro-basalt, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Ililabalekan volcano is situated on a prominent peninsula in SW Lembata (formerly Lomblen) Island. A satellitic cone was constructed on the SE flank of the steep-sided volcano. Four craters, one of which contains a lava dome and two small explosion pits, occur at the summit of Mount Labalekan. No historical eruptions are known from the volcano, although fumaroles are found near its summit.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Ililabalekan.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Ililabalekan
Is Ililabalekan an active volcano?+
Ililabalekan is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Unrest / Holocene." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Ililabalekan?+
Ililabalekan has a summit elevation of 1,018 meters (3,340 feet) above sea level. At 1,018 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Ililabalekan?+
Ililabalekan 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 Ililabalekan located?+
Ililabalekan is located in Indonesia, in the Sunda-Banda Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Sunda Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -8.550° latitude, 123.380° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Ililabalekan?+
Ililabalekan 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.
