Indonesia Raises Alert for Mount Bur Ni Telong Volcano

Indonesian authorities have raised the alert level for Mount Bur Ni Telong, an active stratovolcano in Aceh province, following a sharp increase in volcanic and seismic activity. The move comes amid ongoing recovery efforts in the region after deadly floods and landslides earlier this month.

Spike in Seismic and Volcanic Activity

Mount Bur Ni Telong, rising 2,624 metres in Bener Meriah regency of Aceh, recorded heightened activity on December 30, 2025. At least seven volcanic earthquakes were felt up to five kilometres away, while seismographs detected seven shallow volcanic quakes, 14 deep volcanic earthquakes, and two tectonic events. Lana Saria, acting head of Indonesia’s Geological Agency under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said the alert was raised from Level III to Level II, the second highest, based on sustained increases in activity.

Scientific Assessment and Eruption Risks

According to monitoring data, volcanic unrest at Mount Bur Ni Telong has persisted since July and intensified over the past two months, with earthquakes becoming shallower. Scientists noted that aftershocks from local tectonic activity may be triggering magma movement beneath the volcano. While visual observations show the crater clearly with no smoke emissions, authorities warned of potential phreatic eruptions and the release of hazardous volcanic gases, particularly near fumarole and solfatara zones.

Safety Measures and Evacuations

Residents and visitors have been advised to remain at least four kilometres away from the crater and avoid areas with fumaroles and solfataras, especially during cloudy or rainy conditions when gas concentrations can become lethal. Local media reported that people from three villages within a two-kilometre radius of the crater are being evacuated as a precaution, given fears that heavy rainfall combined with volcanic activity could worsen hazards and disrupt evacuation routes.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Mount Bur Ni Telong is a stratovolcano located in Aceh, Indonesia.
• Indonesia has over 120 active volcanoes.
• The country lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.
• Phreatic eruptions involve steam-driven explosions without magma reaching the surface.

Disaster Context and Regional Vulnerability

The raised alert comes as Aceh is still reeling from catastrophic floods and landslides across Sumatra that killed over 1,100 people earlier in December, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency. In Bener Meriah alone, at least 31 people died, with several still missing and more than 2,100 displaced. Authorities have cautioned that continued volcanic unrest, coupled with heavy rains, could further strain disaster response efforts in this geologically fragile region.