About Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a shield rising to 672 meters (2,205 feet) in South Africa's Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Prince Edward Island is located in South Africa, within the Marion Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. Situated at 46.63° S, 37.95° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 672 meters above sea level, Prince Edward Island is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Prince Edward Island 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 Prince Edward Island in South Africa 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Uninhabited 5 x 10-km-wide Prince Edward Island lies opposite Marion Island at the N end of a submarine plateau on the Antarctic Plate immediately S of the SW Indian Ocean Ridge. It is a low-angle remnant of a large shield volcano formerly centered off the current NW shore of the island. Pleistocene and Holocene scoria cones and tuff cones are located throughout the unglaciated island, which was active contemporaneously with nearby Marion Island. Fifteen of the scoria cones and four tuff cones on the coastal plain were active during the Holocene.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Prince Edward Island.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Prince Edward Island
Is Prince Edward Island an active volcano?+
Prince Edward Island is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Prince Edward Island?+
Prince Edward Island has a summit elevation of 672 meters (2,205 feet) above sea level. At 672 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Prince Edward Island?+
Prince Edward Island is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Prince Edward Island located?+
Prince Edward Island is located in South Africa, in the Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Marion Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -46.630° latitude, 37.950° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Prince Edward Island?+
Prince Edward Island can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. South Africa may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
