Romanche Fracture Zone
Fissure vent · -1,528m · Undersea Features
About Romanche Fracture Zone
Romanche Fracture Zone is a fissure vent rising to -1,528 meters (-5,013 feet) in Undersea Features's Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity. The volcano has produced 3 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Romanche Fracture Zone is located in Undersea Features, within the Central Mid-Atlantic Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 0.43° S, 19.60° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With an elevation of -1,528 meters — below sea level — Romanche Fracture Zone 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
Romanche Fracture Zone 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 Romanche Fracture Zone in Undersea Features 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 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.
Eruption History Summary
Romanche Fracture Zone has 3 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 1761 CE to 1836 CE. These eruptions span roughly 75 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
Several reports of submarine disturbances of possible volcanic origin near the equator were noted by Neumann van Padang et al. (1967, CAVW). Ship captains have reported numerous submarine eruptions during the 18th and 19th centuries over a broad area in this part of the Atlantic, including descriptions of seaquakes, turbulent water, columns of smoke, floating pumice, submarine banks, or small ephemeral islands. These accounts were tentatively collectively assigned by the CAVW to a seamount along the Romanche Fracture Zone, although their locations span a broad area up to 400 km W of the assigned location. Floating "volcanic ash" was collected in 1836 from a site near the Mid-Atlantic Rift, well E of the seamount. The validity of these reports is not clear, although three of these events were considered by the CAVW to possibly represent submarine eruptions.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
3 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1836 | 0 | Uncertain Eruption | 0.58 S 15.83 W |
| 1816 | 0 | Uncertain Eruption | 0.53 S 17.77 W |
| 1761 | 0 | Uncertain Eruption | 0.38 S, 19.17 W |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Romanche Fracture Zone
Is Romanche Fracture Zone an active volcano?+
Romanche Fracture Zone is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Romanche Fracture Zone last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Romanche Fracture Zone occurred in 1836 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Uncertain Eruption." Romanche Fracture Zone has 3 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Romanche Fracture Zone?+
Romanche Fracture Zone has a summit elevation of -1,528 meters (-5,013 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -1,528 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Romanche Fracture Zone?+
Romanche Fracture Zone is classified as a Fissure vent. Fissure vent volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Romanche Fracture Zone located?+
Romanche Fracture Zone is located in Undersea Features, in the Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Central Mid-Atlantic Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -0.433° latitude, -19.596° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Romanche Fracture Zone?+
Romanche Fracture Zone can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Undersea Features may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
