Asuncion
Stratovolcano in United States
Key Facts
Elevation
857 m (2,812 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
19.671°, 145.406°
Region
Mariana Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
A single large asymmetrical stratovolcano forms 3-km-wide Asuncion Island. The steeper NE flank terminates in high sea cliffs, while the gentler SW flanks have low-angle slopes bounded by sea cliffs only a few meters high. The southern flank is cut by a large landslide scar.
The S and W flanks are covered by ash deposits. An explosive eruption in 1906 produced lava flows that descended about halfway down the W and SE flanks, but several other eruption reports are of uncertain validity.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 120 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 284150
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
An aerial view from the SW shows the upper slopes of Asuncion in the northern Mariana Islands. It forms a circular 3-km-wide island that has had no permanent residents since the late 17th century. An explosive eruption in 1906 produced lava flows that descended about halfway down the W and S flanks.
Photo by Richard Moore, 1992 (U.S. Geological Survey).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.