Pagan
Stratovolcano(es) in United States
Key Facts
Elevation
570 m (1,870 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano(es)
Location
18.130°, 145.800°
Region
Mariana Volcanic Arc
Total Eruptions
21
Max VEI
VEI 4
Rock Type
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
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Eruption Timeline
Most recent confirmed eruption
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Overview
Pagan Island, the largest and one of the most active of the Mariana Islands volcanoes, consists of two stratovolcanoes connected by a narrow isthmus. Both North and South Pagan stratovolcanoes were constructed within calderas, 7 and 4 km in diameter, respectively. North Pagan at the NE end of the island rises above the flat floor of the northern caldera, which may have formed less than 1,000 years ago.
South Pagan is a stratovolcano with an elongated summit containing four distinct craters. Almost all of the recorded eruptions, which date back to the 17th century, have originated from North Pagan. The largest eruption during historical time took place in 1981 and prompted the evacuation of the sparsely populated island.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | 21 | High | Highly active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI 4 | Major | Regional impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 5 years ago | Very Recent | Currently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 284170
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Pagan Island, the largest and one of the most active of the Mariana Islands, consists of two volcanoes connected by a narrow isthmus. Both North and South Pagan were constructed within calderas. North Pagan, the most active of the two, is seen here from the west coast of the isthmus, SW of the summit; it was constructed within a 7-km-wide caldera.
Photo by Norm Banks, 1983 (U.S. Geological Survey).
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.