Moua Pihaa Volcano
Updated: Aug 4, 2025 18:49 GMT -
Submarine volcano
France, Society Islands, -18.32°S / -148.67°W 
Summit height: -160 m / - 525 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
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Moua Pihaa volcano eruptions: 1970
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
Moua Pihaa is a massive, steep-sided submarine volcano that rises to within 160 m of the sea surface SW of Mehetia Island. It is the largest of a group of seamounts along the Society Island hot spot chain near Mehetia and Tahiti Islands and towers 3500 m above the sea floor. Moua Pihaa volcano displayed seismicity in 1969 and 1970 considered to have been related to submarine eruptions (Talandier and Custer, 1976).---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Significant volcanic eruptions: Moua Pihaa volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Moua Pihaa has had at least 2 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Moua Pihaa volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Moua Pihaa can be found on the news page of Moua Pihaa volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
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
Moua Pihaa Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Moua Pihaa volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Moua Pihaa occurred in 1970.
+How often does Moua Pihaa volcano erupt?
There are no known historic eruptions, but evidence from geologic records shows that it has had at least 2 eruptions over the past 10,000 years. This number is likely much higher because many past eruptions might not have left evidence recognizeable today and/or the volcano might not have been studied in too much detail. Using the available data, a very conservative estimate is that Moua Pihaa volcano erupts every 5,000 years.
+How active is Moua Pihaa volcano at present?
Moua Pihaa volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had 2 eruptions, and been active during 2 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Moua Pihaa has been in eruption one in 63 years on average. The last eruption was in 1970 and ended 55 years ago.
Latest satellite images
Moua Pihaa 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 Moua Pihaa volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Moua Pihaa volcano (scale of few kilometers)
