🌋VolcanoAtlas

Lopevi

Vanuatu's Uninhabited Volcanic Sentinel

Elevation

1,413 m

Last Eruption

2007

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

Vanuatu

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

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

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity19 years agoRecentRecently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Watch
Dormant but monitored. Capable of renewed activity.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

Related Volcanoes

All Vanuatu Volcanoes
Explore by country
Stratovolcano Volcanoes
By volcano type
Vanuatu Volcanic Arc
Regional volcanoes

Other Volcanoes in Vanuatu

Interesting Facts

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Lopevi has erupted 32 times since 1863, making it one of the most frequently active volcanoes in the southwestern Pacific.

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The island was permanently evacuated after eruptions in 1939 and 1960 and has remained uninhabited since the early 1960s.

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The 1960 eruption produced both a pyroclastic flow that reached the sea and a lava flow that built a new peninsula on the western coast.

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Eight of Lopevi's 32 recorded eruptions have reached VEI 3, an unusually high proportion for a relatively small island volcano.

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The volcano's eruptions are controlled by a dominant NW-SE trending fissure that cuts across the entire island.

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Between 1963 and 1982, Lopevi erupted at least 13 times — nearly continuously for two decades.

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Lopevi's basaltic to picro-basaltic composition makes its lavas relatively fluid, allowing flows to reach the coast from the 1,413 m summit in a matter of hours.

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The former inhabitants of Lopevi were relocated to neighboring Paama Island, where their descendants maintain cultural ties to their volcanic homeland.

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Lopevi's symmetrical conical profile makes it a dramatic landmark visible from surrounding islands, yet it remains one of the least-visited active volcanoes in the Pacific.

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The volcano lies in the same section of the Vanuatu arc as Ambrym, one of the world's most persistently active volcanoes, reflecting the intense magma supply in this segment of the subduction zone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lopevi an active volcano?
Yes, Lopevi is one of Vanuatu's most active volcanoes, with 32 recorded eruptions since 1863. The most recent confirmed eruption occurred in April 2007. The volcano produces moderate explosive eruptions (VEI 2–3) accompanied by lava flows that frequently reach the coast. Although the island is uninhabited, the volcano is monitored via satellite thermal imagery and observations from neighboring islands. Volcanologists consider a return to eruptive activity likely given its historical eruption frequency.
Why is Lopevi uninhabited?
Lopevi was permanently evacuated due to repeated volcanic eruptions. Major eruptions in 1939 forced the first evacuation, and the powerful 1960 eruption — which sent a pyroclastic flow to the sea and built a new lava peninsula — led to the permanent relocation of the island's population to neighboring Paama Island, approximately 10 km to the northwest. Since the early 1960s, the island has remained uninhabited, and the near-continuous eruptions from 1963 to 1982 confirmed that resettlement would be untenable.
When did Lopevi last erupt?
Lopevi's most recent confirmed eruption occurred on April 21, 2007, reaching VEI 2 with explosive activity and ash emissions. There was an uncertain report of possible activity in December 2014. Prior to 2007, the volcano had been highly active, with eruptions in 1998–2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 (twice), and 2007. The current quiet period since 2007 is one of Lopevi's longer pauses, though similar gaps have occurred in the past.
Where is Lopevi?
Lopevi is a small volcanic island in the central Vanuatu archipelago in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, at coordinates 16.507°S, 168.346°E. It lies in the Shepherd Islands group between the larger islands of Épi to the south and Paama and Ambrym to the north. Vanuatu is located approximately 1,750 km east of Australia and 500 km northeast of New Caledonia. Lopevi is accessible only by boat from neighboring islands.
What type of volcano is Lopevi?
Lopevi is a stratovolcano, also called a composite volcano, built up of alternating layers of basaltic lava and pyroclastic material. The volcano forms a near-symmetrical conical island approximately 7 km across, rising to 1,413 m above sea level. Its basaltic to picro-basaltic composition produces relatively fluid lavas that can reach the coast, as well as moderate Strombolian to Vulcanian explosive activity. Eruptions frequently occur along a dominant NW-SE fissure system that cuts across the island.
How does Lopevi compare to Ambrym?
Both Lopevi and Ambrym are among Vanuatu's most active volcanoes and lie in the same section of the Vanuatu arc. Ambrym is larger (1,334 m, ~35 km wide) and famous for persistent lava lakes, while Lopevi is smaller (1,413 m, ~7 km wide) with more episodic eruptions. Ambrym has over 50 recorded eruptions and a higher VEI maximum (4 vs 3), but Lopevi's 32 eruptions represent an impressive frequency for such a small island. Lopevi's eruptions tend to produce more lava flows reaching the coast, while Ambrym's activity is often concentrated at its summit calderas.