The Drive-In Volcano

When seen from Bandung, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu has a distinctive shape-that of a boat. “This peculiar shape has stimulated the fantasy of the Sundanese people from early times (see “The Legend of Sangkuriang).

Geologically, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu has played a significant role in the development of Parahyangan Highlands. Eruptions have contributed immensely to the hills north of Bandung through lava flowing into the valleys and hardening into rock, thus forming big cliffs over which waterfalls leap. Likewise, mud flows have formed a semi-circular cone of gentle gradient (what geologist call a “fan”), which is now the site of the city of Bandung. One of these mud flows was so massive that it blocked the valley of the ancient Citarum River near present-day Padalarang and caused a lake to form, covering the whole Bandung Plain.

Though the mountain appears peaceful, mild eruptions occurred in 1969, when Kawah Ratu spewed ash and barrages of rock 500 m high. As recently as April 2005 it was closed to public for a few days because unusually high seismic activity led volcanologists to fear a new eruption. On the mountain’s northern flank is an area called Death Valley, so named for its frequent accumulation of poisonous gases.