About Forecast Seamount
Forecast Seamount is a stratovolcano rising to -1,456 meters (-4,777 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
Forecast Seamount is located in United States, within the Mariana Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 13.40° N, 143.92° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With an elevation of -1,456 meters — below sea level — Forecast Seamount 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
Forecast Seamount 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 Forecast Seamount, 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 no data (checked), which influences the viscosity of the magma and, consequently, the style of eruptions this volcano produces. Rock chemistry is one of the most important factors in determining whether a volcano erupts explosively or effusively.
GVP Reference Summary
Forecast Seamount lies about 70 km W of the southern tip of Guam and about 19 km NW of Seamount X. Hydrothermal fluid temperatures up to 200°C, one of the highest temperature vent systems known in the Mariana arc, were measured during a 2006 NOAA expedition.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Forecast Seamount.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Forecast Seamount
Is Forecast Seamount an active volcano?+
Forecast Seamount 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 Forecast Seamount?+
Forecast Seamount has a summit elevation of -1,456 meters (-4,777 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -1,456 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Forecast Seamount?+
Forecast Seamount 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 Forecast Seamount located?+
Forecast Seamount is located in United States, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Mariana Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 13.400° latitude, 143.920° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Forecast Seamount?+
Forecast Seamount 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.
