Mount Bur Ni Telong Volcano

Indonesian authorities have raised the alert level for Mount Bur Ni Telong, a volcano in the westernmost province of Aceh, to the second-highest level following a marked increase in volcanic activity. The decision comes after the volcano recorded at least seven volcanic earthquakes on December 30, 2025, signalling heightened internal movement.

Location and Physical Features

Mount Bur Ni Telong is a 2,624-metre-high stratovolcano located in Bener Meriah regency of Aceh. Stratovolcanoes are characterised by steep, cone-shaped profiles formed by the accumulation of viscous lava that does not flow easily away from the vent.

About stratovolcanoes

Due to the sticky nature of the magma, gases tend to get trapped within stratovolcanoes, making them more prone to explosive eruptions compared to shield volcanoes. The most common rock type associated with such volcanoes is andesite, though eruptions can involve a variety of rock compositions depending on tectonic settings.

Indonesia and the Ring of Fire

Indonesia is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world, with over 120 active volcanoes spread across the archipelago. This high activity is due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a horseshoe-shaped belt of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Ocean.