Ijen Crater

Ijen Crater in Banyuwangi

Ijen Crater, also known as ‘Kawah Ijen’ is highly recommended for nature enthusiasts and hikers. The Plateau was at one time a huge active crater, 134 sq km in area.

Ijen Crater is a quiet but active volcano, and the landscape is dominated by the volcanic cones of Ijen (2,368 asl) and Merapi (2,800 asl) on the northeastern edge of the Plateau, and Raung (3,332 asl) on the southwestern corner. Many other post-caldera cones and craters are located within the caldera or along its rim.

The largest concentration of post-caldera cones run east–west across the southern side of the caldera. The active crater at Kawah Ijen has a diameter of 722 metres (2,369 ft) and a surface area of 0.41 square kilometres (0.16 sq mi). It is 200 metres (660 ft) deep and has a volume of 36 cubic hectometres (29,000 acre⋅ft).

the Phenomenal Blue Fire

Since National Geographic mentioned the electric-blue flame of Ijen, tourist numbers have increased.

The phenomenon ijen crater has long been known, but midnight hiking tours are a more recent offering. A two-hour hike is required to reach the rim of the crater, followed by a 45-minute hike down to the bank of the crater.

The blue fire is ignited sulfuric gas, which emerges from cracks at temperatures up to 600 °C (1,112 °F). The flames can be up to five meters (16 feet) high; some of the gas condenses to liquid and is still ignited. Ijen is the largest blue flame area in the world.

Local people refer to it as Api Biru (Blue Fire). The other location at which blue fire can be seen is in Dallol mountain, Ethiopia.