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Bagana Volcano

Updated: May 22, 2025 20:20 GMT -
lava cone (stratovolcano)
Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, -6.14°S / 155.2°E
Summit height: 1750 m / 5,741 ft
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)
Last update: 31 Jan 2025 (eruption continues with lava flows)

Bagana volcano on Bougainville Island is one of the world's most active volcanoes. It has erupted frequently since its discovery in 1842. It is located on a remote part of central Bougainville Island in the Northern Solomon Province of Papua New Guinea.
Bagana volcano is a massive, symmetrical, roughly 1750-m-high cone built largely by rapid accumulation of viscous andesitic lava flows. The present-day cone might only be 300 years old.
Major eruptions occurred in 1950, 1952, and 1966. Bagana has been in near- continuous activity since 1972, creating slow-moving lava flows, and occasionally ash explosions that sometimes produce pyroclastic flows.
The volcano has been in near-continuous activity since the earliest records from the 18th century.

[smaller] [larger]
Typical eruption style: explosive
Bagana volcano eruptions: 2012, 1972-2011, 1970-71, 1968, 1966-67, 1964-65, 1962-63, 1961, 1959(?)-60, 1953, 1952, 1948-51, 1945-47, 1943, 1939, 1938, 1937, 1909(?), 1908, 1899, 1897, 1894-95, 1883, 1865-83, 1842

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location

Background

Bagana volcano's cone almost lacks vegetation despite the tropical climate. It has a small lava dome on the north flank of the volcano. There are active fumaroles on the youngest lava flows and several hot springs occur at the base of the cone. Bagana's lavas are mostly augite-bearing andesites.
Its young lava flows form dramatic flow features, including prominent levees that descend the whole of the cone, and end in very well preserved tongue-shaped lobes with fronts up to 50-m-thick, which surround the volcano on all sides.
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Sources of information:
- Bultitude, R.J. (1976) "Eruptive history of Bagana Volcano, Papua New Guinea, between 1882 and 1975", in: Johnson, R.W. (ed.) "Volcanism in Australasia", Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, New York, p. 317-336.
- Bultitude, R. J. (1979) "Bagana volcano : Bougainville Island geology, petrology, and summary of eruptive history between 1875 and 1975", Memoir of the Geological Survey of Papua New Guinea (v. 6), Port Moresby
- Smithsonian / GVP volcano information

Significant volcanic eruptions: Bagana volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Bagana has had at least 25 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations. There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1909 from Bagana volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Bagana volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Bagana can be found on the news page of Bagana volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
2000 or before - ongoing
Historical obs./docs.
2
2023 Jul 7
(eruption 2000 or before - ongoing)
Historical obs./docs.
2
light
Info
1972 Jul 2 ±182 d. - 1995 Jul 2 ±182 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
1970 May 21 ±15 d. - 1971 Aug 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
1968 Aug 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
1966 Mar 20 - 1967 Nov 30
Historical obs./docs.
3
1964 Apr 24 - 1965 Jul 2 ±182 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
1962 Feb 15 - 1963 Jul 2 ±182 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
1961 Jul 26
Historical obs./docs.
2
1959 ? - 1960 May 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
1956 Jul 2 ±182 d.
Historical obs./docs.
2
1953 Jun 16 ±15 d. - Sep 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
3
1952 Feb 29 - Oct 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
4
1948 Dec 1 ±30 d. - 1951 Dec 1 ±30 d.
Historical obs./docs.
3
1945 - 1947
Historical obs./docs.
2
1943 Apr 7 or before
Historical obs./docs.
1
1939 Jan 30 ?
Historical obs./docs.
2
1938 May 15
Historical obs./docs.
3
1937 Sep 7
Historical obs./docs.
3
?? 1909 Jul
Uncertain Eruption
?
1908 Jul 15
Historical obs./docs.
2?
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 Bagana volcano



2008-11 activity
Bagana continues to erupt small ash explosions from time to time, producing ash plumes that rise to 2.4-3 km altitude and are monitored by the Darwin VAAC.

2008 earthquake
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake occurred 38 km SW of Bagana volcano on Tuesday 23 December 2008.

2007-08 eruptions
Lava flows, ash explosions and pyroclastic flows occurred at Bagana volcano between June 2007 and March 2008. ...more info

2004 eruptions
In April and May 2004, Bagana produced lava flows which traveled 3 km from the summit and came within 3 km of some villages.

1966 eruption
A large ash eruption occurred on 30 May 1966 and generated pyroclastic flows.

1962 eruption
Bagana's activity increased in early 1962 and culminated in a major strombolian-type eruption on 15 February. Lava bursts followed at intervals of 5-10 minutes. Earthquakes and ash emissions continued until April.

1950 eruption
The first time pyroclastic flows were reported from remote Bagana volcano was in 1950, when the summit contained a lava dome, which generated pyroclastic flows by partial collapse. Violent explosions occurred between June and October 1950 and were accompanied by intense earthquakes and loud ash explosions generating ash plumes rising to up to 3-4 km altitude.

1943 effusive eruption
A new lava flow appeared on the NNE flank of Bagana volcano in late March or early April 1943, as aerial photos taken between 18 February and 7 April showed.

1937 eruption
The sound of a loud explosion from Bagana was heard in Kieta village 50 km away in September 1937, when a new eruption began at Bagana. The The Sydney Morning Herald reported on 9 September:
"A violent volcanic eruption began on Tuesday morning at Mt. Bagana, near Kieta, on the island of Bougainville, 250 miles south-east of Rabaul. Columns of smoke rose more than 15,000 feet.
There is no danger to the township of Kieta but the area near the mountain is thickly populated by natives."

1875 eruption
Dense steam and ash clouds were observed at Bagana volcano from the German ship SMS Gazelle on 25 August 1875. ...more info

Bagana Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Bagana volcano?

+How often does Bagana volcano erupt?

+How active is Bagana volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Bagana volcano?

Latest satellite images

Bagana satellite image sat1Bagana satellite image sat2

Bagana 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 Bagana volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Bagana volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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Bagana volcano (Papua New Guinea): eruption continues with lava flows

The lava flow oozes out on the north-northwestern slope of Bagana (image: Sentinel-2)
The latest Sentinel-2 acquisition over the volcano on 31 January revealed (likely a continuing) effusive eruption. Read all
Wed, 25 Sep 2024, 14:00

Bagana (Papua New Guinea) volcano - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 18 September-24 September 2024 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Darwin VAAC reported that continuous ash plumes from Bagana were identified in satellite images rising to 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting W and SW during 17-20 September. Weather clouds sometimes obscured views. ... Read all

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