Bagana Volcano

Updated: May 22, 2025 20:20 GMT - refresh

lava cone (stratovolcano)

Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, -6.14°S / 155.2°E

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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.

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Bagana webcams / live data | News/Updates | Earthquakes

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 Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location

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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.

Date	Note	VEI	Damage
2000 or before - ongoing	Historical obs./docs.	2
2023 Jul 7 (eruption 2000 or before - ongoing)	Historical obs./docs.	2	light	Info
2023 Jul 7: An explosive eruption at Bagana on 7 July send a large ash, gas, and steam plume to high altitudes and caused significant ashfall in local communities. A report issued by theAutonomous Bougainville Government (Torokina District, Education Section) on 10 July noted that significant ash began falling during 2000-2100 on 7 July and covered most areas in the Vuakovi, Gotana (9 km SW), Koromaketo, Laruma and Atsilima villages. By about 2200 on 7 July the eruption plume had reached upper tropospheric altitudes based onsatellite images. Sulfur dioxide detections in satellite images from 8 July indicated that theplume, likely a mixture of gases, ice, and ash, had risen to 16-18 km (52,500-59,100 ft) a.s.l.,reaching the tropopause. Ashfall reportedly continued until 9 July. The ashfall covered vegetation, destroying bushes and gardens, and contaminated rivers and streams used for washing and drinking water; residents drank from coconuts and used fresh ground water accessible through bamboo pipes. (reference #13574) An explosive eruption at Bagana on 15 July was similar to one that occurred on 7 July. According to the Darwin VAAC, an eruption at around 0830 on 15 July produced an ash plume that rose to 16.5 km (54,000 ft) a.s.l. by 1000 and drifted N based on satellite images. Ground-based reports indicated that pyroclastic flows had occurred in the vicinity of the volcano; small deposits confined to one drainage were inspected by RVO during an overflight on 17 July, and were confirmed to be from the 7 July event. The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) issued a statement on 17 July noting significant impacts of ashfall in local communities. According to the National Disaster Centre, ashfall from the first event lasted until 10 July; an eruption was also reported by RVO on 14 July. Ashfall (presumably from events on 7 and 15 July) impacted about 8,111 people in Torokina, South Bougainville, including Tsito/Vuakovi, Gotana (9 km SW), Koromaketo, Kenaia, Longkogari, Kenbaki, Piva (13 km SW), and Atsinima (27km WNW) and in the Tsitovi district according to ABG. Significant ashfall was also reported in Ruruvu (22 km N) in the Wakunai District of Central Bougainville. An evacuation was called for the villages in Wakunai, where heavy ashfall had contaminated water sources; the communities of Ruruvu, Togarau, Kakarapaia, Karauturi, Atao, and Kuritaturi were asked to evacuate to a disaster center at the Wakunai District Station within 24 hours. Communities in Torokina, nearest to Bagana, were to immediately evacuate to the Piva District station. (reference 13575) According to new articles, more than 7,000 people needed temporary accommodations due to the eruption at Bagana, with about 1,000 of those in evacuation shelters. Ashfall was deposited over a broad area, contaminating water supplies, affecting crops, and collapsing some roofs and houses in rural areas. Schools were temporarily shut down. (reference #13576) The Internally Displaced Persons also provided account of destruction to the food gardens, cash crops, water source, as a result of ash falls. The current four affected wards are the main suppliers of fresh produce to Wakunai, Arawa and Buka, especially providing potato, cabbage, onion and sago tips. The number of livestock losses is unknown, but some have reported village chickens are dying and may be from drinking contaminated stagnant waters in ponds in the village. The main crops that 5 are affected across all four wards include, sweet potato (kaukau), taro, banana, sugar cane, Singaporean taro (taro kong-kong), sago palm tree and cooking banana. Reports of cocoa, vanilla and other economic crops suffered extensive damage as well due to the heavy ash falls. (reference #13578) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #13574 Global Volcanism Program (2023): Report on Bagana (Papua New Guinea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 5 July-11 July 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. Link #13575 Global Volcanism Program (2023): Report on Bagana (Papua New Guinea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 12 July-18 July 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. Link #13576 Global Volcanism Program (2023): Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Bagana (Papua New Guinea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 19 July-25 July 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. Link #13578 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (2023): Rapid Food Security Assessment Report: Mt. Bagana Volcanic Eruption, Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Published 8 August 2023. Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
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?

The last confirmed eruption of Bagana began in 2000 and is continuing (as of May 2025).

+How often does Bagana volcano erupt?

Bagana volcano erupts almost every year. Since its first historically documented eruption 1842, Bagana has often been near-continuously active. The Global Volcanism Project counts 25 historic eruptions until now, spanning a total of 101 out of 183 years. In other words, Bagana is active roughly every one in 1.8 years on average. This value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruption might not contain all eruptions, especially further back in time. The last eruption of Bagana began in 2000 and is continuing (as of May 2025).

+How active is Bagana volcano at present?

Bagana volcano is extremely active: Since 1900, it has been frequently active, showing eruptive activity during 77 years out of 126 as of now. The latest eruption is still continuing at present.

+When was the largest eruption of Bagana volcano?

The largest eruption of Bagana volcano in historic times occurred in 1952. 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

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).