NW Eifuku

Stratovolcano in United States

Key Facts

Elevation

-1,535 m (-5,036 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

21.485°, 144.043°

Region

Mariana Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

NW Eifuku is a small submarine volcano that exhibits vigorous thermal activity. The summit of the basaltic-to-andesitic volcano lies 1,535 m below the ocean surface; the seamount lies at the NW end of a 25-km-long chain of submarine volcanoes that includes Eifuku and Daikoko. Hydrothermal fluid emission includes liquid carbon dioxide bubbles venting from "white smokers," one of only two places where natural liquid carbon dioxide emission has been observed.

The hydrothermal field, named Champagne, was discovered during a 2003 NOAA expedition and lies in the steep headwall of a slope-failure scarp that cuts the summit and SW side of the volcano.

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

Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Silica Content

Low (45-52% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Unrest / Holocene

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 Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Northwestern 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: 284136
•Evidence: Unrest / Holocene
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

White smokers at NW Eifuku submarine volcano that were photographed by a NOAA expedition in 2006. The bubbles are carbon dioxide; this is one of two places where natural liquid carbon dioxide emission has been observed. It is a small submarine volcano about 1,500 m below the ocean surface that displays vigorous thermal activity.

Image courtesy of Submarine Ring of Fire 2006 Exploration, NOAA Vents Program.