Indonesian Journal of Geology, Vol. 7 No.

1 March 2012: 39-54

Morphostructure Control Towards the Development

of Mahawu Volcanic Complex, North Sulawesi

Kontrol Morfostruktur Terhadap Perkembangan

Kompleks Gunung Api Mahawu, Sulawesi Utara

S. PoedjoPrajitno

Centre for Geological Survey, Geological Agency,

Jln. Diponegoro No. 57 Bandung, Indonesia 40122

AbstrAct
The studied area, situated in northeastern part of North Sulawesi Arm, is dominantly occupied by
the Mahawu, Linau, Tompusu, and Kasurutan volcanic rocks. Using remote sensing data, such as landsat
image, black and white panchromatic aerial photograph, and IFSAR image, morphology-origin unit and
morphology lineament can be interpreted. Four morphology-origin units, those are Mahawu Volcano Complex,
Intra-montane Plain structure, Linau Volcano Complex, and Lacustrine Plain are recognized. Furthermore,
morphological lineament pattern was statistically processed to find out the general stress direction in the
area to determine the probability of the structural morphology occurrence in the Mahawu Volcano Complex.
The result shows that generally the development pattern of volcanic cones are irregular, except the Mahawu
Volcano Complex showing a linear pattern. This lineament pattern is interpreted as a NW - SE fault pattern
controlling the rise of magma. At least, two tectonic and two eruption periods occurred regularly at different
time from the Quaternary age till the present.
Keywords: morphostructure, Mahawu Volcano cone, fault, lineament, magma, North Sulawesi Arm

Sari
Daerah penelitian, yang terletak di bagian timur laut Lengan Utara Sulawesi, didominasi oleh batuan
vulkanik hasil kegiatan Gunung Api Mahawu, Linau, Tompusu, dan Kasurutan. Dengan menggunakan data
inderaan jauh, yakni citra landsat, foto udara pankromatis hitam-putih, dan citra IFSAR, satuan bentukan-
asal dan kelurusan morfologi ditafsirkan. Empat satuan bentukan-asal, yakni kompleks Gunung Api Mahawu,
struktur dataran antar-gunung, Kompleks Gunung Api Linau, dan dataran danau telah terdeteksi. Selanjutnya
pola kelurusan morfologi diolah secara statistik untuk penentuan arah umum tegasan dan kemungkinan
kehadiran morfologi strukturnya. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa arah pertumbuhan kerucut gunung api tidak
berpola, kecuali arah pertumbuhan kompleks kerucut Gunung Api Mahawu yang memperlihatkan garis lurus.
Pola kelurusan kerucut gunung api ini ditafsirkan sebagai pola sesar berarah barat laut - tenggara yang
mengontrol keluarnya magma ke permukaan. Dua periode tektonik dan dua periode erupsi yang teratur dan
tidak pernah bersamaan telah terjadi di daerah kajian pada kala Kuarter hingga sekarang.
Kata kunci: morfostruktur, kerucut Gunung Api Mahawu, sesar, kelurusan, magma, lengan utara Sulawesi

IntroductIon with 80 m width. Its surface temperature reaches

Mount Mahawu is a stratovolcano with an eleva-
tion of 1324 m asl., located at the east of Lokon
Empung active Volcano. One of the volcanic cones
was cut off and developing to become a crater lake
Manuscript received: December 7, 2011, final acceptance: March 09, 2012
Coresponding Author: 08122482072/soemantripoedjoprajitno@yahoo.com
39
65.50 C, and the estimated depth is 10 m. A weak
explosive eruption expelling white smoke occurred
on April 1987 (SEAN, 1987). Beforehand, in 1974
outpouring of mud with 0.5 m height took place.
Furthermore, in 1977, 1978, 1987, and 1990 there
 40 Indonesian Journal of Geology, Vol. 7 No. 1 March 2012: 39-54

were activities of fumarole, mudspot, and hot water
outpouring along the crater lake periphery having
green water (Sumpena and Djuhara, 1992).
The Mahawu Complex is located at the coordi-
nates of 1240 49 - 1240 54 E and 10 19 30 - 10 21
18 N. Administratively, it is included into the Mina-
hasa Regency, North Sulawesi Province (Figure 1).
Based on the geologic map of Manado Quadran-
gle scale 1:250.000 (Effendi and Bawono, 1977) no
geological structure exists in the Mahawu Volcanic
Complex. That is why the morphological structure
of Mahawu Volcano is need to be discussed here to
find out its relation with the probability of the oc-
currence of Mahawu Fault.
Methodology
The research method was carried out by using re-
mote sensing data, comprising landsat, panchromatic
black-white aerial photograph, and IFSAR images.
Morphological lineament was interpreted on landsat
images which then the lineament interpretation result
was statistically processed to find out the general
stress direction in the area. Supported by the result
of the aerial photograph interpretation and by finding
out the general stress direction, the probability of the
occurrence of the structural morphology in Mahawu
Volcano Complex was determined.
regIonAl geology
The Mahawu Volcano Complex is situated in the
eastern part of the north arm of Sulawesi. The region
is occupied by volcanic rocks composed of andesite
bordered with basalt as the result of Lokon volcanic
activities. Both volcanoes are categorized as young
stratovolcanoes of Quaternary age (Qv). The material
produced is lava, bomb, lapilli, and ash. The oldest
deposit around the studied area is Tertiary volcanics
(Tmv) (Figure 2). The studied area is included into
a volcanic arc due to the multiple subduction of the
North Sulawesi subduction belt in the north, and of
East Sangihe subduction belt located in the east and
south parts of the north arm (Hall, 2001). The sub-

121 E 122 E 124 E 126 E

0 25 50 75 km MANADO
Sulawesi Sea . Mahawu Volcano

North Sulawesi Studied Area

120 Index Map
GORONTALO Studied Area S u la we s I Sea
MANADO
0 0
GOR ONTALO

Tomini Bay PALU

Sula Islands
S u la we si
Island
Bu ru Sea
KENDARI

Central Sulawesi MAKAS AR

Ba n d a Sea
120

121 E 122 E 124 E 126 E

Figure 1. Locality map of the studied area.

 Morphostructure Control Towards the Development of Mahawu Volcanic Complex, North Sulawesi 41
(S. Poedjoprajitno)

o o
1 24 4 5 E 1 25 0 0 E
o
o
1 30 N 1 30 N
MANADO Qa l Qs La kit
S a wa n ga n
Ma u mbi

Sulawesi Sea
Teling
QTv Ka wa ng ko a n

Malalayang
Qv

S a re n gs o n g

Mt. TETE MPANGAN

Qv Koka QTv

Ke n d e s

Mt. TATAWIRAN Ru me ng ko ko

Mt. LOKON Mt. MAHAWU

Ton d a n o

QTv Ma ra wa s Tmv
Mahawu Qv
Volcano

Qs
QTv
Mt. KALUTA
Lake Linau
Mt. TOMBUS U
Lake Ton da n o

o
1 15 N Ka s u ra ta n o
1 15 E
o o
1 2 4 45 E 1 2 5 0 0 N

Legend:

Qs = Fluvial and lacustrine deposits Mount

Qv = Young volcanic rock Hot Spring
Qtv = Tondano Tuff Studied Area 0 5 km
Tmv = Tertiary volcanic rocks

Figure 2. Geological map of the Mahawu Volcano Complex and its vicinity, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi (part of the
Geologi Map of Manado Quadrangle, scale 1: 250.000, Effendi and Bawono, 1977).

duction caused the magmatic activities to form the regIonAl geoMorphology

Mahawu, Lokon, Soputan, Klabat, Tongkoko, Tom-
pusu, Lengkoan, and Batuangus Volcanic Complexes According to Suharsono et al. (2007) nearly 50 %
(Figure 3). Based on the similar occurrences of the of the Manado area originated from a volcanic mor-
volcanic distribution patterns in the North Sulawesi phology (Figure 4). The others were derived from
arm and Sangihe subduction, it is inferred that the denudated, marine, fluvial, and structural volcanic
Sangihe subduction belt more affected the formation morphology. The morphological origin is generally
of volcanic cones than the North Sulawesi subduction. of young active volcano (Quaternary) of which its
 42 Indonesian Journal of Geology, Vol. 7 No. 1 March 2012: 39-54

Mindano
6 N

0 130 260 km

Legend:
Thrust fault of active fore-arc
Talaud
Subduction
4 N Islands
Quaternary Volcano

Sangihe
Sulawesi Sea
Maluku
mid-oceanic
ridge
Studied Area
2 N

Mayu

Ternate
North Arm
Tidore

0 Una -una Goronta lo Maluku

Basin Sea
Tomini Togia n Isl.
Bay Bacan
Sula Islands
East Arm
Ba ngga i Talabu Ma ngkole
2 S SULAWESI Island Sula Besi
120 E 122 E 124 E 126 E

Figure 3. Geography and the main feature of the North Sulawesi tectonics (modified from Hall, 2001).

spread followed the regional tectonic pattern, in
NE-SW direction beginning from Mount Lokon,
Mahawu, Klabat, Duabersaudara, Batunuang, and
Batuangus parasite.
The old volcanic tracks that can be observed
among others are the old caldera walls of Tertiary
Tondano Volcano shown by the series of Kawatak,
Kaweng, Kamingtan, and Kaluta Hills. Suharsono
et al. (2007) classified the hill series as dissected
longitudinal volcanic ridge (VD3), while Verstap-
pen (2000) called it as Tondano Escarpment. It is
presumed that a paleoparasitary developed in the
north flank of old Tondano Caldera. At present, the
parasite is shown by a hill landform with dissected
peak and wide plain in the middle part. Suharsono et
al. (2007) classified the hill landform with dissected
peak as a medium dissected crater wall (VD7),
while the wide plain in the middle was classified
as a medium dissected crater plain landform (VD8)
(Figure 4).
Geomorphology of the Mahawu Volcano
Complex and the surrounding Volcanoes
On the basis of the interpretation result of the
black-white aerial photograph plotted on a topo-
graphical map of the Mahawu Volcano and the sur-
rounding volcanoes, scale 1:50.000 (Figure 5) four
morphological origins are recognized in the area.
Unit of Morphological Origin of the Mahawu
Volcano Complex
Aerial photograph interpretation indicates that
the unit consists of six volcanic cone landforms
developing close to each other, grouped, and they
occur almost in one line. The eruption product of
each Mahawu volcanic cone is difficult to be differ-
entiated. However, on the landsat image combined
with DEM, twelve volcanic cones can be identified
(Figure 6). All eruption material of this Mahawu
Volcano Complex is presumed to cover most of the
residual body of Paleo-Mahawu volcanic cone. The
 Morphostructure Control Towards the Development of Mahawu Volcanic Complex, North Sulawesi 43
(S. Poedjoprajitno)

12445 E 12518 E

148 N

148 N
Nain Besar Island
S U L A W E S I S E A

Ta ra b ita n

M1 1 00
1 00 M1
M4
P u la u M a n te h a g e
S2
J a y a ka rs a
Isl. Ta la b e Ke c il
0 2 4 6 8 10 km
S on s ilo
M1 Eh e
Isl. Ta la b e Be s a r
M4 10 0

10 0
M1 Likupang Strait
Isl. Ta m p e ron g

M4 1 00 M4
M1 20 0
20 0
Mu nte
Isl. Nya ripa nja ng
P ulis a n Cape
Isl. Na p od a on g

Ku lu
M4
La bu a n Ma rins ow
20 0
10 0

We ro t
100 100
M4 10 0

W in e ru
D1
M4 S1 1 00 Kija n g
F2 F2
A 10 0 1 00
Mia ya 1 00

M1
Ba tu

1 00
M4 M4 Ka lina un
VD7 LIN G K U P AN G
F2
M4 Ku a la Wa ris a
M1 Te e p
S2 2 00
2 00 D2 M5
20 0
200
2 00

M4 VD8 Isl. P o n te ng
M1 Kim a jo Kua la Ara re n
Ku a la Ta la wa a n 20 0 D1 F2
Ka we ru a n
Bolun g 500
Tih o wo Ku a la P a n a w P in e ne k
20 0
Bo h owo
VD6 VD3 Ba tu putih
M1
VD1 VD2 10 0

50 0
4 00
30 0 Kua la Ka yu la we be s a r
10 0 20 0
20 0

VD3 Tiwan Cape

P in a s u n gk ula n
M1 Mo la s 5 00
V2
M4 Be n gko l

10 0 Ma pa ng e t

V6 V3
F1 Ta te lu 500 G un un g Ba tua n gu s

F1 V7 V1 0
4 00 V1 V4
MANADO P a nilih
4 00
V5
G un un g P ina ng un ia n
VD6 G un ung Ta ng ko ko
Ma p a n ge t
100
V2
MANADO BAY 200
V2
Ku a la Tu n d u ka
3 00
G. Du a s a u d a ra
F2 Ku a la To n d a n o 300 10 00 V8 Ku a la Airp ra n g

400 600 V1
50 0
F1 We n a n g G u nu ng Kla ba t
V2
Ka lon g a n
Kua la Tika la
100 1000
1200
Kua la Wa lis uko

100 V3 400 V1 0 V1 151 40000 Kua la Te nde ki

V3 B ITU N G
Ta le ti 200 600
100
100 100
300
V3 V2 Ku a la Tu n d u ka F1 M1 P a p u s un g a n
Ka le o s a n Airm a didi
Ku a la S e ge ra t
200
VD5
30 0 200
Ko h a
V3 S o s oa n R a n ora n o
200 Le mb e h Island
400
400
200 300 M1
500
V2 400 200 Le m b e a n
M3 P a ncu ra n Cape
300 200
Wa tu da m bo
M2
S a m piri
S a wa n g a n Ka udita n
200 100

M2 M3 Dua Island
500 200
M1
300 Kua la S a wa n ga n

1200 F1 M6
Ke ntu r V1 300
Ke m a 2
M3
400
Te te m p a n ga n 400
500
M2
1500
7 00 1400 V1
13 0 0
1200
11 0 0 V2 1000
M3
1000

VD4 M1
700 Ka m a s i

S o s oa n Ra no wa ngko
700 Ku a la Lila n g
Wa le o
VD3

V9 700
TONDANO
VD4 M1 123 124 125
1 45

3 5 0
50 0 600 m
S os oa n Ra noa s a n
FL1 S . To n d
a no
9 U
8

7
Ma na d o MANADO
80 0 Ka la wira n
3

B
2

D. Lino w 1
1 00 0
115 N

D. Ta m p us u 1
D. TO NDANO
50 0
S o s o a n B ulo
Bulo Cape

115 N
D. P a n ga lo m bia n
1 0 00 6
50 0 0
S os oa n Ke we le wa ng ko 1 2 4 45 DAER AH P E METAAN 12515
1 1 5 LIP UTAN F OTO UDARA
MAP P ING AR EA
AERIAL P HOTOGRAP H C OVE RAGE

12445 E 12518 E

Legend:
Volcanic cone Medium dissected volcanic cone Graben valley
Medium dissected volcanic flank
Volcanic flank, upper part Tilting ridge
Medium dissected unseparated Alluvial plain
Volcanic flank, lower part volcanic series cone

Intermontane plain Medium dissected unseparated Flood plain

volcanic series flank

Laharic fan Laharic fan Beach sand

Solfatara field Residual hill Beach ridge

Figure 4. Geomorphological map of Manado area modified from Suharsono et al. (2007).

residual slope of the Paleo-Mahawu volcanic foot process, and now they left crater lakes (Figures 6
can still be seen especially in the southeastern part and 7) filled with water in rainy seasons (Figure 8).
which is generally made up of trace of lava flow, The two of twelve recognized cones have the perfect
gently sloping and jointed. Some of the Mahawu forms (Figure 9) occurring in the southern part of
Volcano Complex cones have imperfect forms, pres- Mahawu Group. The perfect shape of the volcanic
ent as dissected cones. It is assumed that the peaks cones can be formed, because the magma intruded
of the cones had been damaged during eruption had been dormant before erupting.
 44 Indonesian Journal of Geology, Vol. 7 No. 1 March 2012: 39-54

12449 E 12454 E

1 2212 N
1 2212 N
11 59
Kin ilo w

1 372
1
Ka ka s ke n 1
2
8

3 1328
93 9

7
4 Te m boa n
896

10 78
6

To m o h o n 5
126 2 12 34
Mt. Mahawu
P la s a te n 1 1 237

12 16
Mahawu Volcano
R.896 Ma ta ni Complex

Intra mountain
plain Ma s a ra ng
PLASATAN FAULT VALLEY

760
683

974 782
Tum a ta ng t a ng
9
Plate au 683

Kasoa ngan Ta ta a r a n 1

9 84
882 Lacustrine alluvial 68 3
plain
La h e n d o n g
Mt. Lin a u 6 88

13
Lake Linau 783 R.902A-10
12
To u n s a ru
899 Lake Tampusu

Lake Pangolumbian Linau Volcano

11 1059
Complex
Mt. Ka s ura ta n
10
Ta m p u s u
REMBOKEN
1 15 N
1 15 N

12449 E 12454
0 1 2 3 km
Legend :

Volcano Lava fan Lava flow track Crater lake

Contour line Inferred fault 11 Observation point Central point

R.902A-1 0

River channel Geomorphological 1059 Elevation point Road

main unit boundary

Figure 5. The result of geomorphologic interpretation of Mahawu Volcano area and the surrounding volcanoes from the black-
white aerial photographs (panchromatic).
 Morphostructure Control Towards the Development of Mahawu Volcanic Complex, North Sulawesi 45
(S. Poedjoprajitno)

705000 mE 710000 mE

150000 mN
150000 mN
Mt. MAHAWU

145000 mN

145000 mN
Lake Linau

140000 mN
140000 mN

705000 mE 710000 mE

Figure 6. Landsat image ETM+7 combined with DEM IFSAR image of the Mahawu Volcano and the surrounding volcanoes.

The distribution of Mahawu Volcano Complex Unit of Morphological Origin of Intramountain

cone pattern is divided into two groups: the North
and South Mahawu Groups (Figure 9 and 10). The
North Mahawu Group consists of series of five
volcanic cones having craters and one residual pa-
leovolcanic body; whilst the South Mahawu Group
comprises six cones. Based on the landform bound-
ary distribution, the chronological construction of
each cone in each group can well be followed in
concomitance with the order number shown in Fig-
ure 9. Hence, due to the abundance of volcanic ma-
terial and repeatedly overlain each other lead to the
presence of difficulties in identifying the structural
pattern since many structural morphologic indicator
covered by the volcanic deposits.
Plain Structure
The terminology of morphological structure or
morphostructure firstly introduced by Gerasimov
(1976) and Gerasimov and Mescherikov (1968; in
Faibridge, 1981) is used to describe the landform
topography constructed by neotectonic activities.
This morphology, generally, has a coarse relief
but flat in some places, hemmed in amongst morpho-
logical units of Mahawu, Linau, and Lokon Volcano
Complexes (outside the studied area). This morpho-
logical unit surface is covered by very thick deposits
of pyroclastic fall from the surrounding volcanoes,
difficult to be differentiated. The boundaries with
the surrounding morphological units among others
 46 Indonesian Journal of Geology, Vol. 7 No. 1 March 2012: 39-54

705000 mE 710000 mE
150000 mN

150000 mN
[e]

[a]
Pyroclastic fall
[d] [e]
Alluvial [b]
Plain [e]

[c]
[b]

Pyrodastic fall [b]

[c]

[b]

Pyroclastic fall
[b]

[b]
f f
[b]
[a]

Alluvial [b]
f Plain f

Old lava flow

f
Paleo - lava flow track
145000 mN

145000 mN
Pyroclastic fall
Mahawu

Plateau

Dissected
plateau
Foot of Limau Paleo-volcano Swampy
Lake

Caldera wall trace of

Linau Paleo-volcano
Alluvial plain
Structural terrace of
Linau
pyroclastic fall
Young lava
flow
[a] [b] Pyroclastic flow
[c] [d] [e]
Lake Linau
140000 mN
140000 mN

f
[c] Mt. Tompusu
[e] [b]

Paleo-lava flow
f

[b] Bk.

[e]

f Lake
f
705000 mE 710000 mE

Legend: 0 1 2 3 4km

Gunungap
[a] crater lake
young lava fiow terrace boundary of landform unit fault
[b] crater floor f
[c] crater wall old lava fiow a =subboundary inferred fault
scarp f
[d] crater rim a =inferred
[e] volcanic cone paleolava flow valley lineament

Figure 7. A Tentative geomorphological map of Mahawu Volcano and other volcanoes in its vicinity, Manado, North Sulawesi
(the result of landsat ETM+7 image and DEM IFSAR image).
 Morphostructure Control Towards the Development of Mahawu Volcanic Complex, North Sulawesi 47
(S. Poedjoprajitno)

are Plasaten Fault valley in the northeast (Figure 5),

structural terrace in the south (Figure 7), and Paleo-
Linau volcanic foot slope in the west. The fault is
called as Plasaten Fault because among others it
bended the Plasaten River channel in the Plasaten
Village. Based on the appearance of the displace-
ment of some river channels, the Plasaten Fault is
categorized as right lateral fault (Figure 11) with
inferred stress in north-south direction. The Plasaten
Fault in Matani Village branches off to the west
forming Matani Fault. Besides the main Plasaten
and Matani Faults, it is presumed that another main
Figure 8. One of Mahawu volcanic craters with Mount Lokon fault facilitating the rise of Linau Volcano Complex
at the background. The camera faces west, location 8. is Linau Fault in NE - SW direction.

705000 mE 710000 mE
8 f 43
150000 mN

150000 mN
40 14 [e] 41 42
Young lava flow
39 [b]
6
[a] [d] [e]
10 Trace of paleo

North Mahawu
38 9 lava flow paleo
13 [b]
5
37 [e] Mahawu Volcano
[e] f
[c]
[b]
Mt. MAHAWU
Undulated area
36
12

pyroclastic fall 12 11
[b]
of Mahawu 44
[c]
7
Mahawu upper flank
11

South Mahawu
Mahawu lower flank 35
8 pyroclastic fall [b6] 1
f 45
34
Mahawu foot [b2
] 4
pyroclastic fall 15
10 7 3 30
[b] 31
[b]
Structural terrace 9 4
[a] 33
49 32
[b]
23 24
3 5 22 25
48 f [d] 21
Alluvial plain [e] 26
47 Young lava flow 46 Trace of paleo lava
2 flow of paleo
15
f Mahawu Volcano 28
20
1 19 27
16 29
145000 mN

145000 mN

0m 500m 1000m 0m 500m 1000m

17 18
705000 mE 710000 mE
Legend:
Volcano
[a]= crater lake f fault
[b] break-in-slope boundary of landform unit inferred fault
[b]= crater floor young lava field f
[a] [c] scarp a= subboundary
[d] [c]= crater wall old lava field b= inferred fault lineament
[e] valley
[d]= crater rim
paleo lava field 1-12 inferred Mahawu Volcanic growth fault scarp
[e]= volcanic cone
1-49 fault lineation order

Figure 9. A tentative geomorphological map of the interpretation result of landsat ETM+7 image combined with DEM IFSAR image.
 48 Indonesian Journal of Geology, Vol. 7 No. 1 March 2012: 39-54

150000 mN
[e]
150000 mN
[c]

[e]

[c]
[a]

North Mahawu Group

[b] [c]

[e]
[c] [e]
[b] [e]
[e]
[b]
[e] [c]
F
F
[e]
[c]
[b] [e]

South Mahawu Group

[e] [b]
[e]
[b]
[b] [e]
[b]
[e]
[f]

[e] [e]
[e] F
145000 mN
145000 mN

[b]

Legend:
0 1 2km
Volcano [a]= crater lake
[b] [b]= crater floor
[a] [c] [c]= crater wall
[d] sharp boundary F fault
[d]= crater rim inferred fault
[e] [e]= volcanic cone inferred boundary F
fault scarp

Figure 10. Geomorphology of the Mahawu Volcano Complex and developing pattern of fault structure (the interpretation
result of DEM IFSAR image).

The southeastern part unit occurs as a plateau faulted into two parts in NE - SW direction. The
with 974 m high asl., having a fine relief which boundary of the two plateau parts is a fault scarp.
is higher than the surrounding landforms. In the The southern part of the plateau has subsided and
eastern and southeastern parts of the plateau, some is strongly dissected (Figure 7). Morphological
minor fault scarps develop as part of a structural elements such as fault scarp, fault terrace, fault
terrace landform (Figure 7). The landsat image valley, river offset, and plateau are a morphologi-
ETM+7 composite RGB 457 combined with DEM cal type formed by a structural process or known
IFSAR image show that the plateau landform is as morphostructure.
 Morphostructure Control Towards the Development of Mahawu Volcanic Complex, North Sulawesi 49
(S. Poedjoprajitno)

12449 E 12454 E

12212 N
12212 N
Kinilo S Sinambe

Kentur Mahawu
1371 1299

1324

Rungku

1328
939

Kakaskasen3

896

1078
900
S Lembuyang

Kamasi 1262 1234

Kentur Masarang
S Sumalangka

1237

Plasaten2
1216
S Ranowangko S Plasaten

Matani
R. Panuraan
S Raong
120 30 N

120 30 N
Masarang

12449 E 12454 E

Legend:
Location of
river arc shift Dextral strike- Road
slip fault
0 1 2 km
1078 Elevation point Contour line

Figure 11. A displacement of a river channel in the flank of the foot of Mount Mahawu indicates dextral horizontal fault
movement.

Unit of Morphological Origin of the Linau Vol- Lineament Pattern

cano Complex The morphologic lineament pattern of fracture
Based on the aerial photograph interpretation, and or fault is well recorded by ETM+7 landsat im-
this unit is made up of the residual Paleo-Linau age combined with DEM IFSAR image, especially
Volcano caldera where the young Linau, Kasuratan, for the Paleo-Mahawu lava flow deposit (Figure 9).
and Tompusu volcanic cones develop inside. Some The general direction of the fracture is mainly to NW
landforms of lava flows situated around Tounsaru - SW, some others are to NE-SW and N-S directions.
Village and Remboken Sub-Regency are presumed The N-S fault system (inferred) joining volcanic
as the results of the activities of Paleo-Linau Volca- cones 2, 4, 5 (Figure 9) is not well identified on
no. Of the three young cones (Linau, Kasuratan, and DEM IFSAR image (Figure 10). Therefore, the oc-
Tamposu), it is only the young Linau volcanic cone currence of N-S fault (presumed) is still doubtful,
having a wide crater lake. The rise of Kasuratan and because no morphostructure indication that can be
Tompusu volcanic cones is presumed to have been used as a guide.
facilitated by the Linau Fault in NE - SW direction. Using the azimuth calculation method of fre-
quency version, the lineament direction measure-
Unit of Morphological Origin of Lacustrine Plain ments (Table 1) and the analysis result of distribution
This morphology unit has a low dip in the NW of Mahawu regional fault lineation are plotted on a
and almost flat towards SE, comprising fine materi- rosette diagram (Figure 12).
als (fine sand, silt, clay, and peat), swampy locally, The result of lineament analysis (frequency ver-
with specific grass and other shrubs. sion azimuth) plotting on the rosette diagram shows
 50
Table 1. Measurement Data of Lineament Direction, Frequency, and Length of Mahawu Volcano and Its Vicinity

LINEATION DATA

No. Measurement No. Measurement No. Measurement Azimuth Group Frequency Length (km) Length (%)
Direction Direction Direction
1 N302E 19 N320E 37 N336E 0 - 10 181 - 190 2 2.450 7.99

Indonesian Journal of Geology, Vol. 7 No. 1 March 2012: 39-54

2 N247E 20 N315E 38 N307E 11 - 20 191 - 200 - -
3 N247E 21 N320E 39 N307E 21 - 30 201 - 210 - -
4 N235E 22 N314E 40 N307E 31 - 40 211 - 220 - -
5 N250E 23 N322E 41 N325E 41 - 50 221 - 230 1 0.300 0.978
6 N247E 24 N319E 42 N319E 51 - 60 231 - 240 2 2.450 7.99
7 N188E 25 N319E 43 N351E 61 - 70 241 - 250 5 3.650 11.9
8 N338E 26 N314E 44 N348E 71 - 80 251 - 260 1 0.900 2.93
9 N275E 27 N321E 45 N234E 81 - 90 261 - 270 - - -
10 N320E 28 N336E 46 N010E 91 - 100 271 - 280 1 1.150 3.75
11 N335E 29 N333E 47 N255E 101 - 110 281 - 290 - - -
12 N328E 30 N313E 48 N250E 111 - 120 291 - 300 - - -
13 N320E 31 N317E 49 N230E 121 - 130 301 - 310 7 4.050 13.21
14 N303E 32 N345E 131 - 140 311 - 320 14 5.680 18.528
15 N335E 33 N310E 141 - 150 321 - 330 7 3.750 12.23
16 N322E 34 N311E 151 - 160 331 - 340 6 4.625 15.08
17 N322E 35 N314E 161 - 170 341 - 350 2 1.200 3.91
18 N325E 36 N307E 171 - 180 351 - 360 1 0.450 1.467
Total Length 30.655 100
 Morphostructure Control Towards the Development of Mahawu Volcanic Complex, North Sulawesi 51
(S. Poedjoprajitno)

N N
0
0

A B
A

D
B C C
E
F
D
W 12 9 6
E3 3 6 9 12 E F4
W 16 12 8 4 8 12 16 E

1 80 18 0
S S

Figure 12. A rose diagram of general direction of Mahawu Figure 13. A rose diagram as the measurement result of length
regional fault lineation. A, B, and C are the main directions version azimuth of fault lineament showing an active fault
of fault lineation (N 3300 E N 1500E) which are more active zonation in Mahawu, ranging between N 1200 E - N 1600 E
compared to fault lineation D, E, and F. and N 3000 E - N 3400 E.

that the main fault direction in Mahawu area varies
between N 3200 E - N 3400 E and N 1400 E - N1600 E
(A and B on the rose diagram, Figure 12). This
variation confirms to right-hand offset of some river
channels at the west foot of Mahawu Volcano as the
structural morphological feature of Plasaten Fault.
Therefore, the stress direction is inferred to be from
N - S. If the main stress direction is from N - S, D
and H notations on the rose diagram represent the
type of thrust with direction ranging between N 600
E - N 900 E and N 2400 E - N 2700 E.
Moreover, E, C, and F notations on the
rose diagram represent normal fault direction rang-
ing between N 1600 E - N 1700 E and N 3400 E - N
3500 E. Sinistral strike-slip fault is represented by
fault lineation with direction between N 00 E - N
100 E and N 1800 E - N 1900 E with G notation
on the rose diagram.
The result of lineament analysis (length version
azimuth) on the rose diagram means that the activity
zone of Mahawu Fault occurs on a range of N 1200
E - N 1600 E and N 3000 E - N 3400 E, while the most
active fault at the present is inferred to occur within
a direction between N 1350 E - N 3150 E or written
by A notation (Figure 13). A fault categorized as
potentially active (Cluff, 1972; in Slemmons, 1982a)
is the one having a direction of N 650 E and N 2450
E inferred as thrust fault with H notation on the
rose diagram (Figure 12), while in Figure 13, it is
shown by C notation.
Poedjoprajitno et al. (2004) on a structural
and distribution pattern map of active fault of the
Manado Quadrangle included the studied area into
the structural area of Manado domain with the
Malalayang right lateral fault in the NE and Sonder
upthrust dextral strike-slip fault in the SW. Both
faults are included into the main faults in the Manado
Quadrangle, acting as a divider of Tondano structural
blocks; whereas the fault structure divided by the
two big faults are called as subsidiary faults (Figure
14). The N-S subsidiary fault is located at the east of
Mahawu Volcano Complex, categorized as a dextral
strike-slip fault. A sinistral strike-slip fault crossing
the Mahawu Volcano Complex (Poedjoprajitno et
al., 2004) (Figure 14) is represented on the rose
diagram with D notation (Figure 12). Therefore,
it confirms to the abovementioned discussion that
the division of Mahawu Complex into two groups
is probably caused by the activity of sinistral strike-
slip fault.
Both Effendi and Bawono (1997) on the Geo-
logic Map of Manado Quadrangle and Lecuyer
(1998) with SPOT image do not estimate the occur-
rence of this fault.
 52 Indonesian Journal of Geology, Vol. 7 No. 1 March 2012: 39-54

12447 00 E 12457 00 E

1 20 00 N

1 20 00 N
Ma ha wu Volcano M
T

Laut S ulawe s i
MANADO
Mahawu
Volcano
GORONTALO
PALU
To nda no

S ulawe s i Island

INDEK MAP
U
Mt. Linau Mt. To mpusu

Mt. Kas ura tanRe mbo ke n

ris
Kawa ngko an

Lake Tondano

Ka ka s

S
Mt. RINDEKA
1 07 00 N

1 07 00 N

12447 00 E 12457 00 E

GEOMORPHOLOGICAL SYMBOL

FAULT SYMBOL ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION ACTIVE FAULT SCARPS INACTIVE VOLCANOES

Main fault a. Upper fault scarp line a a. Crater rim

Left reverse slip fault a.
b. b. Fault scarp surface c b b. Crater wall
Subsidiary fault c.
Dextral slip fault c. Lower fault scarp lin c. Caldera plain

Right normal slip fault Structural Block:

Right reverse slip fault
Simistral slip fault
Left normal slip fault
Active volcanoes: Residual lava plug
T Tondano Block
Volcanic cone with
S Soputan Block Residual volcanic cone
eruption crater
M Manado Block Lava flow
Active volcanic cone

Right normal slip fault Studied area

Normal fault

Figure 14. A part of domain of structural map and structural spread pattern of active fault structure, Manado Quadrangle, North
Sulawesi (modified from Poedjoprajitno et al. 2004).
 Morphostructure Control Towards the Development of Mahawu Volcanic Complex, North Sulawesi
(S. Poedjoprajitno)
dIscussIon
Based on the remote sensing approach con-
fronted with the previous works, in the Mahawu
Complex of the Quaternary age till the present time,
at least there were two tectonic periods and two
eruption periods.
Tectonics 1
The Tectonics 1 produced a morphostructure
occurring as a plateau between Tumatatang and Ta-
taran1 Villages, and some tectonic terraces located
in the south of the plateau, southern Tomohon. The
plateau is 3 x 4 km wide divided into two parts
by a NE - SW fault (Figure 10), while in the eastern
part it is bordered with the Plasaten Fault scarp in
NW - SE direction. Lecuyer (1998) using SPOT im-
age regionally interpreted the geological structure of
North Sulawesi arm and plots a main fault crossing
the south of Mahawu Complex in E - NE direction.
The fault cuts the lower slope of the southern part
of Klabat Volcano till the north coast of Lembeh
Island in the south of Bitung. Through a SPOT im-
age, Lecuyer (1998) did not detect a normal lateral
fault in the Mahawu Volcano Complex. Therefore, it
needs another image to cover the less accurate SPOT
image in recording the detailed morphostructure data.
A fracture system (faulting) developing in the
tectonic activities has facilitated the rise of magma
to the surface which then continued to eruption 1.
Eruption 1
The construction of the Paleo-Mahawu Volcano
and Paleo-Linau is shown by the residual diatrema
and Paleo-Mahawu lava tongue around Masarang
till Tataran 1 Villages and around the northeast of
Lake Tondano.
Tectonics 2
Furthermore, the Paleo-Mahawu lava was
densely jointed with the main direction of NW-SE.
The density of the joint is very obvious especially
around Masarang Village which then developed
to become a fault in the NW - SE direction. These
faults facilitated the rise of twelve volcanic cones in
the Mahawu Complex (entering the second eruption
stage). The condition can be proved by the volcanic
cone lineament number 2, 4, and 5 along with num-
ber 6 and 7 (Figure 10). Lecuyer (1998) regionally
53
had never recommended the presence of a main
fault in NW - SE direction. However, Siahaan et
al. (2005) decided the occurrence of NW-SE major
fault located between Mount Lokon and Mount
Mahawu till cutting Lake Tondano in the west of
Mount Kamingtan.
Eruption 2
This stage produced small cones which could
chronologically be followed from the cone number
2 till number 12 (Figure 9).
conclusIons
1. The development occurrence of volcanoes in the
studied area is dense enough, especially in the
Mahawu Volcano Complex. The developments
between the first and the next cones are not far
to each other, and some cones follow a straight
line. Some morphostructure elements present as
the past tectonic tracks can still be recognized,
such as fault scarp, structural terrace, plateau,
and fault lineament. This volcanic complex
condition tends to raise a thought that probably
the development of Mahawu Volcanic Cone was
facilitated by a fault (Mahawu Fault).
2. The dynamics of tectonic events and volcanic
eruptions in the studied area were in order and
have never occurred at the same time.
3. Tectonics and eruptions are interrelated. The first
tectonic phase is proved by a wide plateau con-
struction which was also followed by voluminous
eruptions shown by the wide lava distribution.
In the second phase, the tectonic intensity was
lower which was also followed by the lower
eruption intensity shown by the limited erup-
tion product or by the narrower diameter of the
volcanic cone bodies.
4. The remote sensing usages with different tak-
ing modes have covered the lack of data with
their recorded ones. Therefore, more than one
remote sensing data are needed in interpreting
earth sciences.
Acknowledgments---The author thanks Ir. Sidarto, M.Si.
for valuable discussion, critique, and input, so this paper
can better be written. Gratitude is also expressed to Dr. A.D.
Wirakusumah.
 54 Indonesian Journal of Geology, Vol. 7 No. 1 March 2012: 39-54
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