Ruby
Stratovolcano in United States
Key Facts
Elevation
-174 m (-571 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
15.605°, 145.572°
Region
Mariana Volcanic Arc
Total Eruptions
3
Max VEI
VEI 1
Rock Type
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Eruption Timeline
Most recent confirmed eruption
Historical eruption (estimated)
Historical eruption (estimated)
Overview
Ruby is a basaltic submarine volcano that rises to within about 200 m of the ocean surface near the southern end of the Mariana arc NW of Saipan. An eruption was detected in 1966 by sonar signals (Norris and Johnson, 1969). Submarine explosions were heard in 1995, accompanied by a fish kill, sulfurous odors, bubbling water, and the detection of volcanic tremor.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | 3 | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI 1 | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 3 years ago | Very Recent | Currently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 284202
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Ruby submarine volcano in the southern Mariana arc is seen in this bathymetric data looking from the NW with 2x vertical exaggeration. Depths in this image range from 184 to 2,955 m, and it rises to within 230 m of the ocean surface NW of Saipan. There was an eruption detected in 1966 by sonar signals. In 1995 submarine explosions were heard, accompanied by a fish kill, sulfurous odors, bubbling water, and the detection of volcanic tremor.
Image courtesy of Susan Merle (Oregon State University/NOAA Vents Program).
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.