About Bouvet
Bouvet is a shield rising to 741 meters (2,431 feet) in Norway's Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption dates to 50 BCE, in prehistoric times. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Bouvet is located in Norway, within the Southern Atlantic Volcano Group of the broader Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 54.41° S, 3.35° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 741 meters above sea level, Bouvet 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
Bouvet 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 Bouvet in Norway 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.
Eruption History Summary
Bouvet has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 50 BCE to 50 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
The solitary ice-covered shield volcano of Bouvet Island is located just off the Southwest Indian Ridge, east of the triple junction between the African, South American, and Antarctic plates. This basaltic-to-rhyolitic island, also referred to as Bouvetoya, was discovered by and later named for Captain Lozier-Bouvet during his 1739 search for the "great southern continent." About 95% of the uninhabited 10-km-wide island is covered by glaciers. The most prominent feature is the 3.5-km-wide Wilhelmplataet caldera, which is breached to the sea on the NW side. A late-stage rhyolitic lava dome forms the Cape Valdivia peninsula on the N flank. A paleomagnetic investigation was made by Lovlie and Furnes (1978) of a massive basaltic lava flow unit at Cape Meteor; based on oriented drill cores they tentatively inferred a minimum age of 2000 years.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 BCE | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Bouvet
Is Bouvet an active volcano?+
Bouvet is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 50 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Bouvet last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Bouvet occurred in 50 BCE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Bouvet has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Bouvet?+
Bouvet has a summit elevation of 741 meters (2,431 feet) above sea level. At 741 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Bouvet?+
Bouvet is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Bouvet located?+
Bouvet is located in Norway, in the Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southern Atlantic Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -54.408° latitude, 3.351° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Bouvet?+
Bouvet can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Norway may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
