About Cobb Segment
Cobb Segment is a fissure vent(s) rising to -2,100 meters (-6,890 feet) in Canada's Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption dates to 1180 BCE, in prehistoric times. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Cobb Segment is located in Canada, within the Northeast Pacific Rifts Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 46.88° N, 129.33° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With an elevation of -2,100 meters — below sea level — Cobb 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
Cobb 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 Cobb 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
Cobb Segment has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1180 BCE to 1180 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
The Cobb Segment is in the northern part of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, south of the Endeavour Ridge segment. This 150-km-long segment, also known as the Northern Symmetrical or NSymm Segment, is the longest of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. It has a narrow axial crest, 1-2 km wide, with a shallow graben that has a high point at about 2,300 m depth. A prominent seamount with hydrothermal deposits at its summit lies just west of the axis high and was the source of a broad area of young, mostly sediment-free lava flows. As with other Juan de Fuca Ridge segments, a shallow magma source is thought to underlie the Cobb Segment, and a preliminary Uranium-series date of Holocene age was obtained on a basaltic lava flow.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1180 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Cobb Segment
Is Cobb Segment an active volcano?+
Cobb Segment is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1180 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Cobb Segment last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Cobb Segment occurred in 1180 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Cobb Segment has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Cobb Segment?+
Cobb Segment has a summit elevation of -2,100 meters (-6,890 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -2,100 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Cobb Segment?+
Cobb 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 Cobb Segment located?+
Cobb 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 46.880° latitude, -129.330° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Cobb Segment?+
Cobb 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.