Hydrographers Range

Stratovolcano in Papua New Guinea

Key Facts

Elevation

1,915 m (6,283 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

-9.000°, 148.370°

Region

Trobriand Volcanic Province

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The Hydrographers Range is a forested, deeply dissected andesitic volcanic massif extending from the eastern margin of Mount Lamington north to the coast of eastern Papua New Guinea. Most activity took place during the Pleistocene, but perfectly preserved cinder cones and explosion craters on the southern side of the range suggested that some activity took place during the Holocene (Taylor, 1958). Other well-preserved cones are situated in the high country overlooking Songade village on the coast.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

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

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	Unknown	Historical	Historically 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: 253011
•Evidence: Evidence Credible
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

The Hydrographers Range, seen here from the W, is a forested, deeply dissected volcanic massif extending from the E margin of Mount Lamington (lower right) to the northern coast of Papua New Guinea. Most activity took place during the Pleistocene, but well-preserved scoria cones and craters suggest that some Holocene activity occurred. This 1947 photo was taken prior to Lamington's catastrophic eruption in 1951.

Photo by Royal Australian Air Force, 1947 (published in Taylor, 1958).