Savo
Stratovolcano in Solomon Islands
Key Facts
Elevation
455 m (1,493 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
-9.132°, 159.812°
Region
Solomon Volcanic Province
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
The 6 x 7 km island of Savo, off the NE coast of Guadalcanal Island, consists of a forested andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcano with a shallow, elliptical 1 x 1. 5 km summit crater. Young lava domes are located on the crater floor and the NE rim, and older domes occur on the flanks.
Pyroclastic flows and mudflows traveled down valleys from the summit crater to form debris fans along the coast. Thermal areas located in the summit crater, the S to SE flanks, and offshore include areas of steaming ground, fumaroles, small geysers, and hot springs. Spanish explorers observed the first recorded eruption in 1568.
Pyroclastic flows during the climactic phase killed almost all inhabitants of the island, and oral traditions also note the expansion of the island on the northern side. Other eruptive episodes occurred during the mid-17th century and during the 1830s to 1840s.
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 | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 179 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 255070
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
The 6 x 7 km island of Savo has been the source of major historical eruptions, which included pyroclastic flows that devastated much of the island. The summit contains a 1 x 1.5 km crater and lava domes are located on its floor, NE rim, and the outer flank of the volcano. Thermal areas located in the summit crater, along the flanks of the volcano, and offshore include fumaroles and small geysers.
Photo by Nick Varley (University of Colima).
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.