About Ta'u
Ta'u is a shield rising to 931 meters (3,055 feet) in United States's Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Ta'u is located in United States, within the Samoan Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 14.23° S, 169.45° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 931 meters above sea level, Ta'u 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
Ta'u 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 United States near Ta'u, 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
The 10-km-wide Ta'u Island, located at the E end of the Samoan islands, is ringed by sea cliffs. It is the emergent portion of the large Lata shield volcano. A major flank collapse event around 22 ka resulted in the steep scarps on the southern side of the island. Two smaller shields were constructed along rift zones at the NW and NE tips of the island. The NW corner of the island has a tuff-cone complex that ejected large dunite xenoliths and coral blocks. Numerous Holocene post-caldera cones occur at the summit and on the flanks.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Ta'u.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Ta'u
Is Ta'u an active volcano?+
Ta'u is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Ta'u?+
Ta'u has a summit elevation of 931 meters (3,055 feet) above sea level. At 931 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Ta'u?+
Ta'u is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Ta'u located?+
Ta'u is located in United States, in the Southern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Samoan Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -14.230° latitude, -169.454° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Ta'u?+
Ta'u can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. United States may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
