About Mehetia
Mehetia is a stratovolcano rising to 389 meters (1,276 feet) in France's Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Mehetia is located in France, within the Society Islands Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 17.87° S, 148.07° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At just 389 meters above sea level, Mehetia is a relatively low-elevation volcanic feature. Despite its modest height, it remains an active geological formation with the same underlying magmatic processes as its taller counterparts. 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
Mehetia 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 Mehetia 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
Mehetia has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1981 CE to 1981 CE. The most recent eruption in 1981 CE places this volcano within the modern era of volcanological observation.
GVP Reference Summary
The 1.5-km-wide, steep-sided island of Mehetia (known as Meetia or Meketia in the Tahitian and Tuamotuan languages, respectively), the youngest and SE-most of the Society Islands, lacks a well-developed fringing coral reef. The ~400-m-high island is the summit of a large volcano that rises 4,000 m from the sea floor. An older edifice is formed of a lava flow sequence overlain by hydromagmatic deposits and Strombolian ejecta. The summit crater, 150 m wide and 80 m deep, has been the source of the youngest lava flows on the island (Binard et al., 1993). Polynesian legends mention "large fires," and the lack of vegetation on some lava flows suggests that the latest activity occurred within the last 2,000 years (Talandier and Custer, 1976). Other recent activity originated from a submarine crater at 2,500-2,700 m depth on the SE flank.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0 | Uncertain Eruption | SE of Mehetia (-1700 m?) |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Mehetia
Is Mehetia an active volcano?+
Mehetia is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did Mehetia last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Mehetia occurred in 1981 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Uncertain Eruption." Mehetia has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Mehetia?+
Mehetia has a summit elevation of 389 meters (1,276 feet) above sea level. At 389 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Mehetia?+
Mehetia 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 Mehetia located?+
Mehetia 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 -17.874° latitude, -148.068° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Mehetia?+
Mehetia 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.
