About Nguna-Emau
Nguna-Emau is a stratovolcano(es) rising to 589 meters (1,933 feet) in Vanuatu's Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Nguna-Emau is located in Vanuatu, within the Vanuatu Volcanic Arc of the broader Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 17.45° S, 168.35° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 589 meters above sea level, Nguna-Emau 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
Nguna-Emau 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 Vanuatu near Nguna-Emau, 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 islands of Nguna, Pele, and Emau (or Emao), north of Efaté Island (also known as Vate), have been variously mapped as Pleistocene and Pleistocene to Holocene. Eruptions in the late Pleistocene to Holocene constructed composite basaltic cones with well-preserved craters. Largely submarine calderas of varying sizes have been inferred towards the north, ranging from a large caldera whose southern rim is defined by Nguna, Pele, and Emao to a smaller caldera, but their submarine morphology is difficult to define. Pumiceous deposits of the Efaté Pumice Formation cover much of Efaté island and record a major trachydacitic explosive eruption about 1 million years ago that originated from a submarine vent somewhere north of the island.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Nguna-Emau.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Nguna-Emau
Is Nguna-Emau an active volcano?+
Nguna-Emau 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 Nguna-Emau?+
Nguna-Emau has a summit elevation of 589 meters (1,933 feet) above sea level. At 589 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Nguna-Emau?+
Nguna-Emau is classified as a Stratovolcano(es). Stratovolcano(es) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Nguna-Emau located?+
Nguna-Emau is located in Vanuatu, in the Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Vanuatu Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -17.452° latitude, 168.353° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Nguna-Emau?+
Nguna-Emau can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Vanuatu may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
