Lolobau
Caldera in Papua New Guinea
Key Facts
Elevation
878 m (2,881 ft)
Type
Caldera
Location
-4.916°, 151.162°
Region
Bismarck Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Lolobau volcano has grown over the W rim of a 6-km-wide caldera which formed about 12,000 years ago. The 8 x 13 km island is located just off the coast of eastern New Britain. A small lake occupies the SW part of the caldera.
A small lava dome (Hulu) caps Mount Lolobau, which has a 0. 8 x 1. 1 km summit crater breached to the NE.
Flank cones are found along the coast of the largely submerged volcano. Several vents within the caldera, on the E flank of the main edifice, have been active during historical time. The latest eruptions took place during the early 20th century.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows and surges
- Large explosive eruptions (VEI 4+)
- Ash fall and tephra deposits
- Lahars and debris flows
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 | 114 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 252130
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Lolobau is located on the western rim of a 6-km-wide caldera, which formed about 12,000 years ago on the 8 x 13 km Lolobau Island. It is seen here from the south beyond the lower flanks of Ulawun. The smaller peak to the right is located along the eastern caldera rim.
Photo by Robert Citron, 1970 (Smithsonian Institution; courtesy of William Melson)
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.