About St. Paul
St. Paul is a stratovolcano rising to 268 meters (879 feet) in France's Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1793 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption, with a maximum Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 2.
Geography & Climate
St. Paul is located in France, within the Amsterdam-St. Paul Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. Situated at 38.72° S, 77.53° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At just 268 meters above sea level, St. Paul is a relatively low-elevation volcanic feature. Despite its modest height, it remains an active geological formation with the same underlying magmatic processes as its taller counterparts. 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
St. Paul 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 St. Paul in France 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
St. Paul has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1793 CE to 1793 CE. The most powerful recorded event was an explosive event producing ash plumes up to several kilometers in 1793 CE, reaching VEI 2 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.
GVP Reference Summary
The uninhabited triangular island of St. Paul is located near the axis of the East Indian Ocean Ridge, 80 km S of Amsterdam Island. It is composed of an older tuff cone surmounted by a basaltic stratovolcano with a 1.8-km-wide caldera. The entire NE half of the volcano was submerged following collapse along a NW-trending fault. This breached the central caldera, leaving an 80-m-deep bay connected to the ocean by a narrow channel. Geothermal areas are located near the caldera rim and along the margins of the caldera bay. The only recorded eruption took place in 1793 from a vent on the lower SW flank.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1793 | 2 | Confirmed Eruption | SW flank (near Cape West) |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Paul
Is St. Paul an active volcano?+
St. Paul is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in 1793 CE, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
When did St. Paul last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of St. Paul occurred in 1793 CE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 2. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." St. Paul has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is St. Paul?+
St. Paul has a summit elevation of 268 meters (879 feet) above sea level. At 268 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is St. Paul?+
St. Paul 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 St. Paul located?+
St. Paul is located in France, in the Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Amsterdam-St. Paul Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -38.720° latitude, 77.530° longitude.
Is it safe to visit St. Paul?+
St. Paul can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. France may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
