Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N
Fissure vent · -4,100m · United States
About Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N
Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N is a fissure vent rising to -4,100 meters (-13,452 feet) in United States's Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. It has been active in recent decades, with its last eruption in 2015 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N is located in United States, within the Mariana Volcanic Arc of the broader Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 15.41° N, 144.51° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With an elevation of -4,100 meters — below sea level — Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N 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
Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N 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 Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N, 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.
Eruption History Summary
Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 2013 CE to 2013 CE. With eruptive activity as recently as 2013 CE, Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N remains an actively monitored volcano.
GVP Reference Summary
The Mariana back-arc spreading segment centered at 15.5°N is part of a line of recently surveyed segments with anomalous hydrothermal plumes. The line parallels the Mariana Islands (about 100 km E) and the Mariana Trench (~300 km E). A series of very recently erupted lava flows were discovered in late 2015 along this back-arc zone about 130 km WNW of Saipan. Flows near 15.4°N were not present at the time of a February 2013 bathymetric survey. Large hydrothermal plumes and intense chemical anomalies in the ocean overlie the area. The sediment-free pillow lavas have a dark glassy crust at water depths of between 4,100 and 4,450 m, believed to be the deepest reported eruption known, and the first to be found along a slow-spreading ridge.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | Along a 10 km N-S line at 15.4°N |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N
Is Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N an active volcano?+
Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 2015 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N occurred in 2013 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N?+
Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N has a summit elevation of -4,100 meters (-13,452 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -4,100 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N?+
Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N is classified as a Fissure vent. Fissure vent volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N located?+
Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N is located in United States, in the Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Mariana Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 15.406° latitude, 144.506° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N?+
Mariana Back-Arc Segment at 15.5°N 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.
