Bola

Stratovolcano in Papua New Guinea

Key Facts

Elevation

1,116 m (3,661 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-5.141°, 150.038°

Region

Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Bola volcano (also known as Wangore) is a symmetrical stratovolcano located immediately SW of Dakataua caldera on the Willaumez Peninsula. The forested andesitic cone has a 400-m-wide crater with a 100-m-high eastern wall and a low western rim. Three large explosion craters occupy the NE flank.

The most recent lava flow issued from the summit crater and flowed to the west. This viscous flow is at least 50 m thick, leaving an irregularity in the profile of the volcano. The summit crater morphology and weak fumarolic activity suggested to Lowder and Carmichael (1970) that the most recent eruption may have been only a few hundred years ago.

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

Evidence Credible

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	Unknown	Historical	Historically 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: 252050
•Evidence: Evidence Credible
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Conical Bola volcano (also known as Wangore) rises to the NW across Stetin Bay. The symmetrical stratovolcano is located immediately SW of Dakatau caldera and forms the high point of the Willaumez Peninsula in central New Britain. The forested cone has a well-preserved, 400-m-wide crater. No historical eruptions have been documented from Bola, but its morphology suggests very recent activity.

Photo by Elliot Endo, 2002 (U.S. Geological Survey).