About Piip
Piip is a stratovolcano rising to -300 meters (-984 feet) in Russia's North America Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 5050 BCE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Piip is located in Russia, within the Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 55.42° N, 167.33° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. With an elevation of -300 meters — below sea level — Piip 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
Piip 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 Russia near Piip, 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 dacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
Eruption History Summary
Piip has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 5050 BCE to 5050 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
Dredged rocks from the summits of volcanic cones rising from 2,500 m depth to within a few hundred meters of the surface yielded dacitic lavas and pumice apparently of Holocene age (Fedotov et al., 1989; Seliverstov et al., 1986). Tephrochronological studies on the Commander Islands suggest that the latest tephras from Piip volcano may be as young as a few centuries, and echograms indicate present-day gas emission from the volcano. The three steep-sided volcanic cones were constructed along a N-S trend and lie about 140-150 km from the axis of the Aleutian trench, a similar distance as other Aleutian arc volcanoes. The southern and northern cones exceed the central cone in size and have craters open to the SW about 500 and 300 m wide, respectively. A lava dome occupies the southern crater, and other domes or cones are found on the summit cones and flanks of the edifice. Vigorous gas emission from the northern cone rises about 300 m from "black smoker" vents on the crater floor.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Piip
Is Piip an active volcano?+
Piip is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 5050 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Piip last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Piip occurred in 5050 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Piip has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Piip?+
Piip has a summit elevation of -300 meters (-984 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -300 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Piip?+
Piip 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 Piip located?+
Piip is located in Russia, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 55.420° latitude, 167.330° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Piip?+
Piip can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Russia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
