About Rapa Nui
Rapa Nui is a shield(s) rising to 501 meters (1,644 feet) in Chile's Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Rapa Nui is located in Chile, within the Salas y Gómez Ridge Volcano Group of the broader Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 27.11° S, 109.36° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subtropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 501 meters above sea level, Rapa Nui is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Rapa Nui is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near Rapa Nui in Chile generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
The triangular Rapa Nui (also known as Isla de Pascua, or Easter Island), is renowned for its dramatic megalithic statues of hand-carved basalt. The island sits atop the largely submarine Salas y Gómez Ridge, which trends eastward from the East Pacific Rise. It is composed of three principal volcanoes and more than 70 subsidiary vents. Rano Kau at the SW tip includes flat-bottomed crater 1.5 km wide, while Poike volcano is at the E point; both are of Pleistocene age. Terevaka is a broad shield volcano of Pliocene-to-Pleistocene age at the northern point of the island, which is capped by many pyroclastic cones; the last stage of activity consisted of eruptions from multiple rift zones. The latest lava flows, at Hiva-Hiva near the west-central coast, are thought to be less than 2,000 years old.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Rapa Nui.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Rapa Nui
Is Rapa Nui an active volcano?+
Rapa Nui 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.
How high is Rapa Nui?+
Rapa Nui has a summit elevation of 501 meters (1,644 feet) above sea level. At 501 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Rapa Nui?+
Rapa Nui is classified as a Shield(s). Shield volcanoes are broad, gently sloping volcanoes built by fluid lava flows. They produce less explosive eruptions compared to stratovolcanoes and tend to have effusive lava rather than violent blasts.
Where is Rapa Nui located?+
Rapa Nui is located in Chile, in the Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Salas y Gómez Ridge Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -27.114° latitude, -109.356° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Rapa Nui?+
Rapa Nui can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Chile may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.