Mount Papandayan, west Java Indonesia

Mount Papandayan is a complex stratovolcano, located in Garut Regency, West Java, Indonesia. It is about 15 km to the southwest of the town of Garut. At the summit, there are four large craters which contain active fumarole fields. An eruption in 1772 caused the northeast flank to collapse producing a catastrophic debris avalanche that destroyed 40 villages and killed nearly 3,000 people. The eruption truncated the volcano into a broad shape with two peaks and a flat area 1.1 km wide with Alun-Alun crater in the middle, making the mountain look like a twin volcano. One of the peaks is called Papandayan 2800 m

Volcano Activities
Since 1772, only small phreatic eruptions were recorded before an explosive eruption that began in November 2002. More recently, the volcano has been quite active.

On 14 August 2011 the volcano’s warning status was lifted from Level II, “Vigilant” (Indonesian: Waspada) to Level III, “Alert” (Indonesian: Siaga) following the emission of dangerous hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide gases. People, including tourists, were urged to remain at least 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) from the yellow craters on the 2,665-meter (8,743-foot)

Mount Papandayan.On Friday 2 September 2011, the VSI reported that numerous shallow volcanic earthquakes had been recorded along with other indications of volcanic activity.

Jan 31,2012. the VSI reported status of Mount Papandayan change from Level III (Siaga) to Level II (waspada)

This is Some of Photos when we Visiting on Level II on September 2011 on Java Volcanoes Expedition Trip.
[picasaView album=”KrakatauToMtMerapi1924April2011″ instantView=”yes”]

Getting There
From Jakarta, you can take Bus from Rambutan Bus Station to Garut arround 3-4 hours, then Continue to Cikajang and Stop at Cisurupan.
By Private Car is easy way, Tak Toll Road to Cieluenyi, then 15 Km to Garut and Continue again around 15 Km to Mount Papandayan.