GEOLOGIC HISTORY
Sangeang Api volcano, one of the most active in the
Lesser Sunda Islands, forms a small 13-km-wide island off
the NE coast of Sumbawa Island. Two large volcanic cones,
1,949-m-high Doro Api and 1,795-m-high Doro Mantoi, were
constructed in the center and on the eastern rim,
respectively, of an older, largely obscured caldera. Flank
vents occur on the south side of Doro Mantoi and near the
northern coast.
Historic Activity:
- Eruptions in 1512, 1715, 1821, 1860, 1911, 1912,
1927, 1953, 1964, 1965, and 1966.
Recent Activity:
- Eruption began July 30, 1985 with a column of tephra
and gas to an altitude of 3500 m. The 1200 inhabitants of
the island were evacuated in early August. On August 6,
1985 lava was observed flowing west from crater and by
the end of September 1985 had flowed about 4.8 km. The
lava flow was still slowly advancing in May 1986. Daily
explosions from crater were occurring at a rate of about
60 per day in January 1987 but had declined to about 15
per day at end of 1987. Explosions had ended in February
1988.
- Small steam plumes in early 1999.
Data Sources
- Smithsonian's SEAN Bulletin (V. 10, No. 7 to V. 13,
No. 2)
- Global Volcanism Network (V. 24, No. 5).
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