Wolf Volcano
Updated: Nov 8, 2025 19:34 GMT -
Shield volcano
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, 0.02°N / -91.35°W 
Summit height: 1710 m / 5,610 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 2 Jun 2022 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
Volcán Wolf, straddling the equator on the northern end of Isabela Island is the highest volcano of the Galápagos archipelago. The 1710-m-high volcano has steeper slopes than most other Isabela volcanoes, reaching angles up to 35 degrees.
[smaller] [larger]
Wolf volcano eruptions: 2022, 2015, 1982, 1797
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
A 6 x 7 km caldera, at 700 m one of the deepest of the Galápagos Islands, is located at the volcano's summit. A prominent bench on the west side of the caldera rises 450 above the caldera floor, much of which is covered by a lava flow erupted in 1982.Radial fissures concentrated along diffuse rift zones extend down the north, NW, and SE flanks, and submarine vents lie beyond the north and NW fissures. Similar unvegetated flows originating from a circumferential chain of spatter and scoria cones on the eastern caldera rim drape the forested flanks of the volcano to the sea. The proportion of aa lava flows at Volcán Wolf exceeds that of other Galápagos volcanoes. Wolf's 1797 eruption was the first documented historical eruption in the Galápagos Islands.
---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Wolf Volcano Photos
428.JPG Yasur Volcano - Fiery Wolf (Photo: Nadina405)
Rosario helps Wolfgang... (Photo: Marco Fulle)
Leslie and Wolfgang wait for the next eruption (Photo: Marco Fulle)
Wolfang, Sabine and Annet find very interesting the dykes of Valle del Bove (Photo: Marco Fulle)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Wolf volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Wolf has had at least 16 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 13 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1973 from Wolf volcano.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1973 from Wolf volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Wolf volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Wolf can be found on the news page of Wolf volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| a fissure on the SE edge of the caldera, on the NE, E, and SE flanks, and within the summit caldera Historical obs./docs. | 4 | ||||
| Caldera and SE flank (875 m) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
| SE flank (610 m) Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
| SE flank (1200 m) Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| ESE flank Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| Volcano Uncertain: either Wolf or Darwin Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| Lower NE and SE flanks | ? | ||||
| Lower NE flank | ? | ||||
| Lower SW flank | ? | ||||
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
Wolf Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Wolf volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Wolf occurred in 2022.
+How often does Wolf volcano erupt?
Since 1797, Wolf volcano has had at least 13 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 17.5 years.
+How active is Wolf volcano at present?
Wolf volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 10 eruptions, and been active during 10 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Wolf has been in eruption one in 12.6 years on average. The last eruption was in 2022 and ended 4 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Wolf volcano?
The largest eruption of Wolf volcano in historic times occurred in 2015. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Wolf 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).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Wolf volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Wolf volcano (scale of few kilometers)
