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Iamalele

Lava dome(s) in Papua New Guinea

Key Facts

Elevation

194 m (636 ft)

Type

Lava dome(s)

Location

-9.506°, 150.524°

Region

Trobriand Volcanic Province

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Multiple volcanic features and active thermal areas are located on the SW part of Fergusson Island, in the center of the D'Entrecasteaux island group. The Iamalele-Fagululu area contains a series of lava domes and lava flows of probable Holocene age in association with abundant hot springs and fumaroles (Smith, 1981). Two small lava domes are located near Fagululu village, the larger of which is a flat-topped, obsidian-bearing rhyolitic dome.

Six other lava domes are clustered around Salt Lake on the W side of the area. Hot springs, boiling springs, fumaroles, and mud pools are found in an area of siliceous sinter near Iamalele village.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

    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

    MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
    Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
    Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
    Recent ActivityUnknownHistoricalHistorically 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: 253050
    • Evidence: Evidence Credible
    • Epoch: Holocene

    About the Photo

    Late Cenozoic volcanic rocks cover much of the Kukuia Peninsula (left center) on the SW side of Fergusson Island and areas north of the peninsula. The Iamalele-Fagululu area, located north of the peninsula and south of the Mailolo metamorphic block forming the NW tip of the island, contains a series of lava domes and lava flows and abundant hot springs and fumaroles. Eight small lava domes are located near Fagululu village and around Salt Lake. Young volcanic rocks are also present on Goodenough Island (upper left).

    NASA Space Shuttle image STS44-83-80, 1991 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).

    Basic Information

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