About Endeavour Segment
Endeavour Segment is a fissure vent(s) rising to -2,050 meters (-6,726 feet) in Canada's Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 3490 BCE. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Endeavour Segment is located in Canada, within the Northeast Pacific Rifts Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 47.95° N, 129.10° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With an elevation of -2,050 meters — below sea level — Endeavour Segment 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 cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Endeavour Segment is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near Endeavour Segment in Canada generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. 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.
Eruption History Summary
Endeavour Segment has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 6930 BCE to 3490 BCE. These eruptions span roughly 3,440 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
The Endeavour Segment (or Ridge) lies near the northern end of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, W of the coast of Washington and SW of Vancouver Island. The northern end is offset to the east with respect to the West Valley Segment, which extends north to the triple junction with the Sovanco Fracture Zone and the Nootka Fault. The 90-km-long, NNE-SSW-trending segment lies at a depth of more than 2,000 m and is the site of vigorous high-temperature hydrothermal vent systems that were discovered in 1981. Five major vent fields that include sulfide chimneys and black smoker vents are spaced at about 2-km intervals in a 1-km-wide axial valley at the center of the ridge. Preliminary uranium-series dates of Holocene age were obtained on basaltic lava flows, and other younger "zero-age" flows were sampled. Seismic swarms were detected in 1991 and 2005.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3490 BCE | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 6930 BCE | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Endeavour Segment
Is Endeavour Segment an active volcano?+
Endeavour Segment is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 3490 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Endeavour Segment last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Endeavour Segment occurred in 3490 BCE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Endeavour Segment has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Endeavour Segment?+
Endeavour Segment has a summit elevation of -2,050 meters (-6,726 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -2,050 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Endeavour Segment?+
Endeavour Segment is classified as a Fissure vent(s). Fissure vent(s) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Endeavour Segment located?+
Endeavour Segment is located in Canada, in the Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northeast Pacific Rifts Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 47.950° latitude, -129.100° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Endeavour Segment?+
Endeavour Segment can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Canada may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.