Pagan Volcano

Updated: Jun 7, 2025 05:25 GMT - refresh

stratovolcanoes

Mariana Islands, 18.13°N / 145.8°E

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Summit height: 570 m / 1,870 ft

Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)

Last update: 8 Jun 2022 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

Pagan volcano consists of 2 stratovolcanoes (North and South Pagan) connected by a narrow isthmus and forms the largest and one of the most active of the Mariana Islands. It is located 173 nautical miles north of Saipan.
Nearly all historical eruptions of Pagan, which were recorded since the 17th century, were from North Pagan volcano. The largest historic eruption was in 1981 and prompted the evacuation of the sparsely populated island.

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News/Updates | Earthquakes

Typical eruption style: effusive
Pagan volcano eruptions: 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1987, 1981-85, 1929-30 (?), 1925, 1923, 1917, 1909, 1873?, 1864, 1825 ± 5 years, 1800 ± 50 years, 1669, 1340 ± 100 years

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
Jun 2, 04:52 pm (GMT +10)	4.9 276 km	25 km (16 mi) to the SW	Pagan Region, Northern Mariana Islands I FELT IT	Info

View recent quakes

Background

Both North and South Pagan stratovolcanoes were constructed within calderas, 7 and 4 km in diameter, respectively. The 570-m-high Mount Pagan at the NE end of the island rises above the flat floor of the northern caldera, which may have formed less than 1000 years ago.
South Pagan is a 548-m-high stratovolcano with an elongated summit containing 4 distinct craters.
(from: Smithsonian / GVP)

Significant volcanic eruptions: Pagan volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Pagan has had at least 21 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 19 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 4 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Pagan volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Pagan volcano since around 1800. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Pagan can be found on the news page of Pagan volcano.

Date	Note	VEI
2021 Jul 29 - Sep 6	Historical obs./docs.	2
2012 Jul 10	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	2
2011 Apr 23 ? - Sep 1 ?	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	2
2010 May 3 - Aug 11	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	1
?? 2009 Apr 15	Uncertain Eruption	2
2006 Dec 4 - Dec 8	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	1
1996 Jul 2 ±182 d.	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	1
1993 Jan 15 ±5 d. - Nov 16 ±15 d.	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	2
1992 Apr 13	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	1?
1988 Aug 24 - Oct 12	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1988 Feb 16	Uncertain Eruption	?
1987 Sep 4	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	1
1981 May 15 - 1985 May 1 or later	North Pagan (summit and north flank) Historical obs./docs.	4
1966 May 23	Discredited Eruption
?? 1929 - 1930	Uncertain Eruption	?
1925 Feb - May 5	Historical obs./docs.	2
1923 Feb - Mar 26 ±5 d.	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	3
1917	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	2
1909	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	2
1873 ?	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	3?
1864	South Pagan Historical obs./docs.	1?
1825 ±5 y.	North Pagan Historical obs./docs.	2?
1800 ±50 y.	North Pagan (west flank maar)	?

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Eruptions of Pagan volcano

2011 activity
Small ash emissions were reported from Pagan volcano at the end of August 2011.

2010 eruptions
An ash eruption was reported from Pagan on 6 May 2010.

2009 ash eruptions
Activity was noted in April and August 2009. "Black ash" and steam were observed on 16 April 2009. Crew aboard a NOAA research ship observed continuous emissions from the N crater during 21-22 April.
A small ash eruption probably occurred at Pagan volcano on 15 Aug 2009, as an ash plume drifting NW and a hot spot were observed by satellite.

2006-07 activity
In December 2006 ash eruptions occurred at Pagan volcano and continued into January. Up to a cm per day of ash were reported accumulating 3 km SW of the summit. ...more info

1993 eruptions
Intermittent ash eruptions occurred at Pago volcano from January to March 1993. Frequent ash eruptions produced plumes reaching 1-2 km height. ...more info

Pagan Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Pagan volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Pagan occurred in 2021.

+How often does Pagan volcano erupt?

Since 1669 AD, Pagan volcano has had at least 19 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 18.7 years.
Many eruptions of Pagan have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 23 out of 356 years until now. In other words, Pagan has been active at least one in 15.5 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Pagan is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Pagan volcano at present?

Pagan volcano is relatively active: Since 1900, it has had 19 eruptions, and been active during 19 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Pagan has been in eruption one in 6.6 years on average. The last eruption was in 2021 and ended 4 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Pagan volcano?

The largest eruption of Pagan volcano in historic times occurred during 1981 - 1985. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Pagan Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).