About Saba
Saba is a stratovolcano rising to 887 meters (2,910 feet) in Netherlands's Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1640 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Saba is located in Netherlands, within the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc of the broader Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 17.63° N, 63.23° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 887 meters above sea level, Saba is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Saba sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in Netherlands near Saba, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, 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
Saba has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1640 CE to 1640 CE.
GVP Reference Summary
Saba, the northernmost active volcano of the West Indies, is a 5-km-diameter island forming the upper half of a large stratovolcano that rises 1,500 m above the sea floor. Its eruptive history is characterized by the emplacement of lava domes and associated pyroclastic flows. The summit, known as Mount Scenery (or The Mountain), is a Holocene lava dome that overtops a major collapse scarp that formed about 100,000 years ago. Flank domes were constructed on the SW, SE, E, and NE sides of the island near the coast. A large andesitic lava flow entered the sea on the NE flank, forming the Flat Point Peninsula. The village of The Bottom overlies pyroclastic-surge deposits that contain European pottery fragments and were radiocarbon dated at 280 +/- 80 years before present. The village was settled in 1640 CE on grassy meadows on the volcano's flanks reflecting initial vegetation recovery following destruction of tropical rainforests by pyroclastic flows and surges. Lava dome growth may also have occurred during this SW-flank eruption.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1640 | — | Confirmed Eruption | SW flank |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Saba
Is Saba an active volcano?+
Saba is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in 1640 CE, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did Saba last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Saba occurred in 1640 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Saba has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Saba?+
Saba has a summit elevation of 887 meters (2,910 feet) above sea level. At 887 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Saba?+
Saba 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 Saba located?+
Saba is located in Netherlands, in the Middle America-Caribbean Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 17.630° latitude, -63.230° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Saba?+
Saba can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Netherlands may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
