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Bamus

Stratovolcano in Papua New Guinea

Last Eruption: 1886

Key Facts

Elevation

2,248 m (7,375 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-5.200°, 151.230°

Region

Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Symmetrical Bamus volcano, also referred to locally as the South Son, is located SW of Ulawun volcano, known as the Father. The andesitic stratovolcano is covered in rainforest and contains a breached summit crater filled with a lava dome. There is a cone on the southern flank, and a prominent 1.

5-km-wide crater with two small adjacent cones halfway up the SE flank. Young pyroclastic-flow deposits are found on the flanks, and residents describe an eruption that took place during the late 19th century.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate
Infrastructure RiskModerate
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Silica Content
Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Holocene
Evidence
Eruption Observed

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity140 years agoHistoricalHistorically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Normal
No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity
The Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

  • Smithsonian ID: 252110
  • Evidence: Eruption Observed
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Bamus is seen here from the NE beyond the upper slopes of Ulawun. These two volcanoes are the highest in the 1,000-km-long Bismarck volcanic arc. Bamus is covered by rainforest and contains a summit crater filled with a lava dome. A smaller cone is located on the S flank, and a prominent 1.5-km-wide crater with two small adjacent cones is situated halfway up the SE flank.

Photo by Wally Johnson (Australia Bureau of Mineral Resources).

Basic Information

This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.