About Tangaroa
Tangaroa is a stratovolcano rising to -600 meters (-1,969 feet) in New Zealand's Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Tangaroa is located in New Zealand, within the Southern Kermadec Volcanic Arc of the broader Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. Situated at 36.32° S, 178.03° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With an elevation of -600 meters — below sea level — Tangaroa 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
Tangaroa 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 New Zealand near Tangaroa, 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 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
Tangaroa submarine volcano in the southern Kermadec arc rises to within 600 m of the ocean surface. The volcano is elongated in a NW-SE direction and contains smaller cones on its SE to eastern flanks. A larger edifice lies further to the SE. Tangaroa lies between Clark and Rumble V submarine volcanoes near the southern end of the Kermadec arc and is one of more than a half dozen volcanoes in this part of the arc showing evidence for active hydrothermal vent fields.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Tangaroa.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tangaroa
Is Tangaroa an active volcano?+
Tangaroa is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Unrest / Holocene." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Tangaroa?+
Tangaroa has a summit elevation of -600 meters (-1,969 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -600 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Tangaroa?+
Tangaroa 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 Tangaroa located?+
Tangaroa is located in New Zealand, in the Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southern Kermadec Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -36.321° latitude, 178.028° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tangaroa?+
Tangaroa can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. New Zealand may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
