Gamalama is a near-conical stratovolcano that comprises the entire Ternate island in Indonesia.

For centuries, Ternate was a center of Portuguese and Dutch forts for spice trade, which have accounted for thorough reports of Gamalama's volcanic activities.

[3] On December 4, 2011 Mount Gamalama erupted, ejecting material up to 2,000 meters into the air.

Thousands of residents in nearby Ternate City fled due to ash and dust particles raining down on the town.

[4] Finally on December 27 some 4 people died and dozens injured from debris falls (lahar) after a month of activity.