About Tafahi
Tafahi is a stratovolcano rising to 546 meters (1,791 feet) in Tonga'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
Tafahi is located in Tonga, within the Tofua Volcanic Arc of the broader Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. Situated at 15.85° S, 173.75° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 546 meters above sea level, Tafahi 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
Tafahi 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 Tonga near Tafahi, 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
The small 1.2 x 2.8 km island of Tafahi is a conical stratovolcano about 7 km N of the island of Niuatoputapu in the northern Tonga Islands. It is the northernmost subaerial volcano of the Tofua volcanic arc. The basaltic andesite volcano is elongated N-S, and the summit is located on the SW side of the island. The W side of the volcano is the most dissected, and a narrow fringing reef partially encircles the island. No eruptions have been reported, but its youthful morphology, which resembles that of the larger Kao volcano in the central Tonga Islands, suggests recent activity.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Tafahi.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tafahi
Is Tafahi an active volcano?+
Tafahi is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Tafahi?+
Tafahi has a summit elevation of 546 meters (1,791 feet) above sea level. At 546 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Tafahi?+
Tafahi 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 Tafahi located?+
Tafahi is located in Tonga, in the Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Tofua Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -15.854° latitude, -173.747° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tafahi?+
Tafahi can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Tonga may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
