Indonesia probes rare blue fire at Mount Papandayan

Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) - Indonesian geological authorities have deployed an emergency team to evaluate potential hazards following reports of a rare blue fire phenomenon inside the active crater of Mount Papandayan in West Java.

Head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) Rita Susilawati said on Friday that visual observations on Sept. 23 recorded purplish-blue flames glowing across several sections of the crater.

By Sept. 24, the fires had diminished into a more concentrated, whitish-blue glow.

"The Geological Agency team is currently conducting a field inspection to analyze this phenomenon and its potential danger," Susilawati said.

Experts attribute the display to the natural combustion of sulfur gases escaping through solfatara vents—a process previously documented near the volcano's newer crater area.

Monitoring since 2025 shows the vent of the nearby Manuk Crater has gradually narrowed alongside a drop in surface smoke density, suggesting hot gases may be rerouting through adjacent rock fractures or crater walls.

However, PVMBG cautioned that any link between the structural narrowing and the blue fire remains unconfirmed pending further analysis.

Despite the unusual activity, officials confirmed Mount Papandayan’s alert status remains unchanged at Level I (Normal).

Authorities have urged the public, tourists, and hikers to stay calm but maintain a safe distance, advising against any activity or overnight stays within 500 meters of the active crater rim.

Translator: Ricky Prayoga, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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