About Moua Pihaa
Moua Pihaa is a stratovolcano rising to -312 meters (-1,024 feet) in France's Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. It last erupted in 1970 CE, and volcanologists consider it an active volcanic system. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Moua Pihaa is located in France, within the Society Islands Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 18.32° S, 148.53° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With an elevation of -312 meters — below sea level — Moua Pihaa is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature. Submarine volcanoes make up the majority of Earth's volcanic activity, though most eruptions go unobserved beneath the ocean surface. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Moua Pihaa is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Moua Pihaa tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in France more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is trachybasalt / tephrite basanite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Moua Pihaa has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 1969 CE to 1970 CE. These eruptions span roughly 1 years of volcanic history. The most recent eruption in 1970 CE places this volcano within the modern era of volcanological observation.
GVP Reference Summary
Moua Pihaa is a massive, steep-sided submarine volcano that rises to within 160 m of the ocean 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 rises 3,500 m above the seafloor. It displayed seismicity in 1969 and 1970 considered to have been related to submarine eruptions (Talandier and Custer, 1976).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 1969 | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Moua Pihaa
Is Moua Pihaa an active volcano?+
Moua Pihaa is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1970 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Moua Pihaa last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Moua Pihaa occurred in 1970 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Moua Pihaa has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Moua Pihaa?+
Moua Pihaa has a summit elevation of -312 meters (-1,024 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -312 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Moua Pihaa?+
Moua Pihaa is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Moua Pihaa located?+
Moua Pihaa is located in France, in the Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Society Islands Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -18.325° latitude, -148.525° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Moua Pihaa?+
Moua Pihaa can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. France may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
