Dukono Volcano

Dukono volcano is one of several active volcanoes on Halmahera Island, North Maluku province, northeastern Indonesia. Nearby one finds Ibu and Gamkonora volcanoes, as well as Gamalama which forms the small island of Ternate off the west coast, one of the main entry portals to the region due to its regional airport. Further south again lies a further small island, formed by Makian volcano. The Halmahera magmatic arc is associated with eastward subduction of the Molucca plate under Halmahera. Only about 80 km further west, the Molucca plate subducts westward under Northern Sulawesi, there forming the North Sulawesi-Sangihe Islands magmatic arc which also encompasses several active volcanoes, including Lokon-Empung and Soputan.

Ash cloud rising from crater of Dukono	Powerful eruption of central vent of Dukono

Unfortunately, little information is available on Dukono in the english scientific literature, although activity reports and brief background information can be found on the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program website.

The summit of present-day Dukono is situated in a horseshoe-shaped depression opening to the N-NE. Dukono is a stratovolcano with deposits from pyroclastic fallout and flows and lava flows which range from basaltic to andesitic in composition. Eruptive periods have been documented in 1550, 1861-1869, 1901, 1933-1939, 1941-1942, 1945-1953, 1969, 1971 and 1978-2014(ongoing). It is likely that records are incomplete, since the volcano lies in a remote region. The 1550 eruption was powerful and produced extensive lava and pyroclastic flows, which filled in the straight between the mainland and Gunung Mamuya to the north. The 1933-1939 eruption emplaced large lava flows in 1933 which cover large areas immediately NE of the summit crater.

Map of Molucca Sea Region with Collision Zone and Volcanic Arcs indicated. Based on data from Google Maps, MacPherson et al. 2003 (Geol. Soc. London, Special Publ. 219, p.207-220), Siahaan et al. 2005 (Proc. World Geol. Congress, 5pp). Note: Only selected extinct volcanoes have been included in the map, many others exist in the Arcs.

Dukono Ash Clouds during Daylight

Dukono at Night

Aftermath of powerful eruption with copious lightning in ash cloud. Crater flanks are peppered with glowing lava bombs.

Lightning in ash cloud	"Clowns Face" ash cloud	Bombs fly out of base of ash cloud

Strombolian activity	Strombolian activity

Visit To Crater Rim / Close-ups of Vent

Approaching 1933 lava deposits which separate ash plane from crater	Starting the ascent

View back towards camp after starting ascent	Climbing towards summit cone

First bomb craters as approach summit	Approaching rim, small impact crater in foreground

View over flank to Mamuya volcano	Volcanic bomb with Mamuya in distance	Nearby Mamuya volcano

View to east	North flank

Final few meters to crater rim	Bomb impact crater on rim (bottom right)	Fresh impact crater containing small bomb

Crater of Dukono volcano	Crater of Dukono volcano

Fumaroles on inner crater wall	Gas and ash eruption

Small gas eruption. Pancake-like plug on vent clearly visible	Initial blast of eruption detailed below	Two-pronged gas eruption

Close-up (crop) of central vent erupting with tremendous high pressure gas and lava release

High pressure jetting eruption (1/3)	(2/3)	(3/3)

Close-up of above image	Close-up of above image	Close-up of above image

Fresh lava bomb on flank - Helmet for scale	Popping bottle on lava bomb (see video)	Glowing inside of lava bomb

Dukono - Landscape of Ash

Abrupt border between vegetation and ash plane	Roots exposed by erosion following heavy rainfall	Tree growing in ash plane

Ash on leaves	Lone plant growing from ash mound	Ash on leaves

Ash on leaves	Ash on leaves

	Small stalagtite-like formations formed by ash and rainwater

Visitor Information:

Visitors wishing to climb Dukono volcano should travel to the town of Tobelo, where guides can be organized. Leaving the main road opposite the volcanic observatory north of Gunung Mamuya, one best rides by motorbike along the roads serving the plantations on the flank of the volcano. Finally, after about 10km one reaches a simple hut where the motorbikes are parked and starts to ascend along a small path. The ascent takes about 3 hours from this point.

Camps can be set up on the ash plane (Kawah Tanah Lapang) where one should stay on higher ground since the area is prone to flash floods.

The climb to the crater rim is over rough terrain and takes about another hour. Visitors should be aware that visits to the rim are potentially dangerous since large volcanic bombs may be thrown out of the crater which can cause fatal injuries. The author of this page does not encourage such visits.

Tobelo Town main road	Evening view of weak ash cloud from Tobelo

Typical small restaurant in Tobelo	Morning view of Dukono ash cloud from Tobelo

View to Dukono from main road near observatory	View through arches of old bridge	Extracting building materials from drainage of Dukono

Turning towards Dukono trail with observatory in background	Moped transport

Glimpse of Dukono summit through dense vegetation	Flooding following torrential rain triggered by ash cloud

Camping on ash plane	Kitchen tent on ash plane

Seismometer in Dukono Volcano Observatory	Swimming pool at Hot Springs near Dukono

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