About Rumble II West
Rumble II West is a stratovolcano rising to -1,200 meters (-3,937 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
Rumble II West is located in New Zealand, within the Southern Kermadec Volcanic Arc of the broader Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. Situated at 35.35° S, 178.53° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With an elevation of -1,200 meters — below sea level — Rumble II West 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
Rumble II West 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 Rumble II West, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Rumble II West, about 12 km NW of Rumble II East, rises 1,800 m from the ocean floor to within 1,200 m of the surface. Bathymetry shows a 2.5-3 km summit caldera about 200 m deep with a central cone. There is evidence of hydrothermal activity, and cones are present on the flanks. Some lava flows on the western flanks originating from near the caldera rim have little or no sediment cover.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Rumble II West.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Rumble II West
Is Rumble II West an active volcano?+
Rumble II West 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 Rumble II West?+
Rumble II West has a summit elevation of -1,200 meters (-3,937 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -1,200 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Rumble II West?+
Rumble II West 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 Rumble II West located?+
Rumble II West 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 -35.353° latitude, 178.527° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Rumble II West?+
Rumble II West 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.