About Tarakan
Tarakan is a pyroclastic cone(s) rising to 317 meters (1,040 feet) in Indonesia's Western Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Tarakan is located in Indonesia, within the Halmahera Volcanic Arc of the broader Western Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 1.83° N, 127.83° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At just 317 meters above sea level, Tarakan is a relatively low-elevation volcanic feature. Despite its modest height, it remains an active geological formation with the same underlying magmatic processes as its taller counterparts. The volcanic landform is characterized as a minor (basaltic), which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Tarakan 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 Tarakan, 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
Two cinder cones between Galela Bay and Lake Galela on norther Halmahera, NE of Dukono volcano, were mapped by Supriatna (1980) as basaltic and Holocene. Tarakan Lamo and Tarakan Itji (large and small Tarakan) have well-formed summit craters 800 and 500 m in diameter, and 160 and 125 m deep, respectively.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Tarakan.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tarakan
Is Tarakan an active volcano?+
Tarakan is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Tarakan?+
Tarakan has a summit elevation of 317 meters (1,040 feet) above sea level. At 317 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Tarakan?+
Tarakan is classified as a Pyroclastic cone(s). Pyroclastic cones (or cinder cones) are small, steep-sided volcanic cones built from fragments of lava blasted into the air. They are the simplest type of volcano and often form in groups.
Where is Tarakan located?+
Tarakan is located in Indonesia, in the Western Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Halmahera Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 1.832° latitude, 127.825° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tarakan?+
Tarakan 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.
