| RSS | EN | DE | EL | ES | FR | IT | RU

Epi Volcano

Updated: Aug 8, 2025 05:06 GMT -
Stratovolcanoes
Vanuatu, -16.68°S / 168.37°E
Summit height: 833 m / 2,733 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 3 Apr 2025 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

[smaller] [larger]
Typical eruption style: unspecified
Epi volcano eruptions: 2004 

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location

Background

A large caldera, with submarine post-caldera cones active in historical time, lies off the eastern coast of Epi Island. Epi Island itself, located slightly west of the main New Hebrides volcanic arc, largely consists of two Quaternary volcanoes, Mount Allombei on the west and Pomare (Tavani Kutali) on the east. Tavani Ruro, which forms an elongated eastern extension of Epi Island across a narrow isthmus, is related to Kuwae caldera to the east. Pomare volcano is the highest point on the island and has three well-preserved subsidiary cones to the east with youthful summit craters. Pomare volcano is truncated on its eastern side by the largely submarine East Epi caldera, which has been the source of all historical eruptions. Three small submarine basaltic and dacitic cones, known as Epi A, Epi B, and Epi C, are located along the northern rim of the breached caldera. Ephemeral islands were formed during eruptions in 1920 and 1953, and the summit of the shallowest cone, Epi B, was at 34 m below sea level at the time of a 2001 survey.
---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information

Epi Volcano Photos

Significant volcanic eruptions: Epi volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Epi has had at least 9 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations. Additionally, there are 6 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Epi volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Epi volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Epi can be found on the news page of Epi volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
2023 Jan 31 - Feb 23
Historical obs./docs.
1
2023 Jan 31
(eruption 2023 Jan 31 - Feb 23)
Tsunami recorded
Historical obs./docs.
0
Info
2004 Feb 16 - Feb 24Epi B
Historical obs./docs.
2
2002 Mar 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
1?
1999 ?
Historical obs./docs.
1?
?? 1988 Aug 16 ±15 d.
Uncertain Eruption
0
1979 ±5 y.South flank of Epi B
Historical obs./docs.
0
?? 1974 Nov 16 ±15 d.
Uncertain Eruption
0
?? 1973 May 5 ±4 d. - Oct 26 ±5 d.
Uncertain Eruption
0
?? 1972 May 15 ±5 d. - Jun 25 ±5 d.
Uncertain Eruption
0
?? 1971 Oct 28 - Nov 15 ?
Uncertain Eruption
0
1960 Jul 16 ±15 d.Three locations
Historical obs./docs.
0
1958 Sep 16 ±15 d. - Nov 16 ±15 d.Epi B cone?
Historical obs./docs.
2?
?? 1953 Nov 16 ±15 d.
Uncertain Eruption
0
1953 Feb 12 - Feb 19Epi B and other vents
Historical obs./docs.
3
1920 Jan 22Epi B cone
Historical obs./docs.
2
1901 Aug 9
(eruptive episode 1901 Aug 9)
Tsunami recorded
Historical obs./docs.
01-50 (*)
moderate
Info
(*) Estimated numbers
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

Epi Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Epi volcano?

+How often does Epi volcano erupt?

+How active is Epi volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Epi volcano?

Latest satellite images

epi satellite image sat1epi satellite image sat2

Epi 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 Epi volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Epi volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Epi volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Volcanoes & Earthquakes - new app for Android
Guaranteed tours
1-14 Oct 2025: Desert, salt and volcanoes - Danakil desert (Ethiopia)
4-12 Oct 2025: From Stromboli to Etna - Sicily and Eolian Islands (Italy)
6-21 Oct 2025: From Krakatau to Bali - Java (Indonesia)
3-19 Nov 2025: Volcanoes and Spices - Sulawesi/Halmahera (Indonesia)
9-19 Nov 2025: Guatemala Volcano Special - Guatemala
= spaces available   = guaranteed   = few spaces left   = booked out
Thu, 3 Apr 2025, 06:00

East Epi volcano (Vanuatu) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 26 March-1 April 2025 (Continuing Activity)

On 27 March the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) reported that minor unrest continued at East Epi during March. No activity was observed above the ocean surface by communities of Epi and neighboring islands, though signs of continuing volcanic unrest was detected in seismic data. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 0-5) and the public was warned to stay outside of the Danger Zone, defined as a 2-km radius around the active submarine vent. ... Read all
Wed, 13 Dec 2023, 15:00

East Epi volcano (Vanuatu) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 6 December-12 December 2023 (Continuing Activity)

On 4 December the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) reported that minor unrest continued at East Epi during November. Volcanic seismicity was sustained, though no activity was observed above the ocean surface. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 0-5) and the public was warned to stay outside of the Danger Zone, defined as a 2-km radius around the active submarine vent. ... Read all

On this page:

Try our free app!
Volcanoes & Earthquakes - new app for Android
Android | iOS version

More on VolcanoDiscovery

Why is there advertising on this site?

Support us - Help us upgrade our services!

We truly love working to bring you the latest volcano and earthquake data from around the world. Maintaining our website and our free apps does require, however, considerable time and resources.
We need financing to increase hard- and software capacity as well as support our editor team. We're aiming to achieve uninterrupted service wherever an earthquake or volcano eruption unfolds, and your donations can make it happen! Every donation will be highly appreciated. If you find the information useful and would like to support our team in integrating further features, write great content, and in upgrading our soft- and hardware, please make a donation (PayPal).

Planned features:Thanks to your past donations, these features have been added recently:
Download and Upgrade the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic and volcano alerts online:
Android | IOS
Thank you!
Sources: VolcanoDiscovery / VolcanoAdventures and other sources as noted.
Use of material: Most text and images on our websites are owned by us. Re-use is generally not permitted without authorization. Contact us for licensing rights.
Volcanoes & Earthquakes
VolcanoDiscovery Home
Volcanoes | Earthquakes | Photos | Volcano News | | Shop | App
Adventure & Study Travel
Tours to Volcanoes and Volcanic Areas: walking tours, photo tours, study tours
Tours & Dates | FAQ | About us
Get our newsletter!
Company info
Contact | Legal info | Terms & conditions
Follow us
Follow us on facebook Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Bluesky Follow us on Twitter Visit our Youtube channel
EN | DE | EL | ES | FR | IT | RU
VolcanoDiscovery GmbH, Germany, Reg. nr.: HRB 103744, EU Tax Id: DE 297 465 123 owned and created by
Dr. Tom Pfeiffer, volcanologist, volcano photographer, tour organizer member of
IAVCEI
IAVCEI
Vulkanologische Gesellschaft
Volcanological Society
Ecotourism Greece
Ecotourism Greece
RUV insurance
Insured by R+V
VolcanoDiscovery © 2004- All Rights Reserved | Privacy - Cookie Settings