About Zealandia Bank
Zealandia Bank is a stratovolcano rising to 0 meters (0 feet) in United States's Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Zealandia Bank is located in United States, within the Mariana Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 16.88° N, 145.85° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With an elevation of 0 meters — below sea level — Zealandia Bank 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
Zealandia Bank 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 Zealandia Bank, 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
Zealandia Bank consists of two pinnacles about 1 km apart rising from a submerged bank to near the ocean surface between Guguan and Sarigan Islands. One pinnacle reaches more than 1 m above water at low tide. Andesitic rocks were dredged at the southern peak, which showed some evidence of coral growth. Freshly broken pahoehoe basaltic rocks were recovered from 1.7 km depth on the western flank. The age of the most recent eruptive activity is not known, but a NOAA bathymetric survey in 2004 detected fumarolic activity.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Zealandia Bank.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Zealandia Bank
Is Zealandia Bank an active volcano?+
Zealandia Bank 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 Zealandia Bank?+
Zealandia Bank has a summit elevation of 0 meters (0 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of 0 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Zealandia Bank?+
Zealandia Bank 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 Zealandia Bank located?+
Zealandia Bank is located in United States, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Mariana Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 16.880° latitude, 145.850° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Zealandia Bank?+
Zealandia Bank 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.
