Volcanic Activity Level Raised for Mount Burni Telong as Aceh Hit with Tremors

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Geological Agency has raised the volcanic activity status of Mount Burni Telong in Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh, to Alert Level III on late Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 10:45 p.m. local time.

This alert level status has been the highest since the mid-year, which coincided with a series of inland earthquakes that shook Bener Meriah and Central Aceh.

In a written statement, the Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, said the volcanic activity alert status would prevent visitors and locals from approaching the Burni Telong crater within a 4-kilometer radius. The agency also warns, "Don't approach the fumarolic and solfatara areas during cloudy or rainy weather as the gas concentration can be life-threatening."

Prior to elevating the volcanic activity status, the Geological Agency issued a warning about the increasing seismic activity of Mount Burni Telong, which was considered more intense and shallower. From 8:43 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. on December 30, 2025, seven noticeable tremors were recorded with nearby locations approximately five kilometers southwest of the Burni Telong peak.

These were followed by an increase in volcanic earthquakes. According to the Geological Agency's records, on that day until 10:45 pm, there were 7 Shallow Volcanic Earthquakes, 14 Deep Volcanic Earthquakes, 1 Local Tectonic Earthquake, and 1 Distant Tectonic Earthquake. Meanwhile, at 9:44 p.m., no volcanic smoke was observed although the 2,624-meter-high volcano above sea level was clearly visible.

The Geological Agency revealed that the increase in seismic activity of Mount Burni Telong has been occurring since July 2025. There had been 10 deep volcanic tremors until December 30. The increase in seismic activity was considered more intensive and shallower in November and December 2025.

The epicenter of the earthquake in Bener Meriah, Aceh, on Tuesday night, December 30, 2025.

Lana Saria explained that the occurrence of aftershocks following a local tectonic earthquake indicates magma activity that is easily triggered by tectonic earthquakes around Mount Burni Telong. "The potential hazards could be an eruption triggered by tectonic earthquakes around Mount Burni Telong or a phreatic eruption without a significant increase in seismic activity," said Lana.

Other potential danger, Lana said, could be volcanic gas emissions in the area around the solfatara and fumarolic vents, as exposure to the gas concentration could be dangerous.

Read: Seismic Activity Intensifies at Aceh's Mount Burni Telong: Geological Agency

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