Dakataua
Caldera in Papua New Guinea
Key Facts
Elevation
408 m (1,339 ft)
Type
Caldera
Location
-5.045°, 150.100°
Region
Bismarck Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
The 10. 5 x 13. 5 km Dakataua caldera anchors the northern tip of the Willaumez Peninsula of New Britain.
The latest episode of caldera formation occurred as recently as about 1,150 years ago, and was followed by at least five sub-Plinian or Vulcanian eruptions. A 12-km-wide freshwater lake whose surface is only about 50 m above sea level occupies the caldera. Two vertical fault-bounded blocks form topographic highs at the western and eastern sides of the caldera.
A N-S line of post-caldera cones, explosion craters, and part of an arcuate inner caldera rim form a large peninsula that nearly bisects the arcuate caldera lake. The peninsula includes the 350-m-high andesitic Mount Makalia stratovolcano, the largest of the post-caldera cones, which last erupted during the late-19th century. A major submarine debris avalanche deposit NE of the volcano may represent edifice collapse prior to caldera formation.
Thermal areas occur at several locations along the central peninsula.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows and surges
- Large explosive eruptions (VEI 4+)
- Ash fall and tephra deposits
- Lahars and debris flows
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 | 131 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 252040
- •Evidence: Eruption Dated
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Shown here is the 10.5 x 13.5 km Dakataua caldera at the N tip of the Willaumez Peninsula. Caldera-formatting activity occurred as recently as about 1,150 years ago. A 12-km-wide freshwater lake (foreground), whose surface is only about 50 m above sea level, occupies the caldera. This view from the W shows two maars (right center) and Mount Makalia (top left), which are located along a N-S-trending peninsula.
Photo by Russell Blong, 1988 (Macquarie University).
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.