Gunung Papandayan, Active volcano in West Java, Indonesia.
Gunung Papandayan is an active stratovolcano near Garut in the Indonesian province of West Java, rising to 2665 meters (8743 feet). Its summit area includes several adjacent craters that continuously emit steam, along with fumaroles releasing sulfurous gases and creating a yellowish crusted landscape.
A major eruption in the late 18th century destroyed dozens of villages at the foot of the mountain and reshaped the summit area with new crater openings. Further seismic events in the 20th century led to permanent monitoring efforts by Indonesian authorities.
The name derives from a Javanese word meaning forge, reflecting how local tradition interprets the volcanic activity as underground metalworking. Today, visitors walking the trails encounter sulfur collectors who work in the craters using methods passed down through family lines.
Paved access roads lead close to the geothermal zones, and well-marked paths allow short hikes through the volcanic terrain. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be cautious of slippery sections near steam vents, where the ground is moist and warm.
Some fumaroles produce dense white plumes that suddenly obscure visibility depending on wind direction, then clear just as quickly. Not far from the main craters lies a zone of dead vegetation, where acidic gases have completely halted growth and created a ghostly scene.
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