Tinakula Volcano


Tinakula volcano is located at the NW end of the Santa Cruz islands in the Solomon Islands. It forms a small 3.5 km wide and steep island, which is the upper 25% of a very active stratovolcano that rises more than 3 km from the sea floor. Tinakula is very similar to Stromboli volcano in Italy.
Tinakula's active summit crater is often in strombolian activity and the glowing bombs it ejects often roll down down a steep slope of loose ash and scoria extending to the sea on the SW side of the island.
The small 3.5 km wide Tinakula Island was inhabited until 1971 when a major eruption and a tsunami occurred and prompted people to abandon the island.
Tinakula has been frequently active since it was first discovered by the Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1595.
Tinakula volcano eruptions: 2019 (?), 2012, 2008-2011, 2006-07, 2002 (?), 2001-02, 2002 (April)-2001, 1999, 1995, 1989-90, 1984-85, 1971, 1965-66, 1955 (?), 1951, 1909, 1897, 1886, 1871, 1869, 1857, 1855, 1840?, 1797, 1768, 1595
Latest nearby earthquakes
Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location |
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Background
The mainly andesitic Tinakula volcano resembles Stromboli volcano in having a breached summit crater half-open to one side. It extends from the 851-m-high summit to below sea level. Landslides enlarged this scarp in 1965 and created an embayment on the NW coast.Frequent historical eruptions have originated from a cone constructed within the large breached crater. These have left the upper flanks of the volcano and the steep apron of lava flows and volcaniclastic debris within the breach unvegetated.
The flank cone of Mendana is located on the SE side, named after the first western observer of an eruption of the volcano.
Significant volcanic eruptions: Tinakula volcano
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Tinakula volcano.
Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 1? | |||
?? | Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs. | 1 | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 1? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Upper NW flank Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Upper and lower NW flanks Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
1971 Sep 6 (eruption | Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs. | 2 | Info | ||
Upper NW flank Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
1966 Jan 13 (eruption | Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs. | 3 | Info | ||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
1897 Mar 26 (eruption | Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs. | 2 | light | Info | |
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
1840 (eruption | Historical obs./docs. | 3 | 100-1,000 (*) | Info | |
Historical obs./docs. | 3? |
Eruptions of Tinakula volcano
A major eruption of Tinakula began on 6 September 1971, when a large explosion occurred from the summit crater that produced 2 pyroclastic flows on the E and W sides of the volcano and was followed by a tsunami 30 minutes later. A second explosion, also followed by a tsunami occurred on 7 Sep.
The explosive activity at the summit was followed by an effusive phase that opened a fissure vent about half way up in the western wall of the landslide scar below the summit craters. A lava flow from this fissure reached the sea.
At the same time, intense strombolian activity continued from the summit and built up a new summit cone. Incandescent blocks were observed reaching several 100 m above the crater.
The activity increased towards the end of September and in October and ended in December. Most of the population (160 inhabitants) was evacuated. ...more info
An powerful eruption occurred at Tinakula around 1840, producing pyroclastic flows on all sides of the island, killing its inhabitants.
Tinakula Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Tinakula volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Tinakula began in 2018 and is continuing (as of April 2025).
+How often does Tinakula volcano erupt?
Since 1595 AD, Tinakula volcano has had at least 23 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 18.7 years.
Many eruptions of Tinakula have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 35 out of 430 years until now. In other words, Tinakula has been active at least one in 12.3 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Tinakula is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Tinakula volcano at present?
Tinakula volcano is relatively active: Since 1900, it has had 25 eruptions, and been active during 25 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Tinakula has been in eruption one in 5 years on average. The latest eruption is still continuing at present.
+When was the largest eruption of Tinakula volcano?
The largest eruption of Tinakula volcano in historic times occurred in 2017. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Tinakula Volcano Maps





















