About Rumble V
Rumble V is a stratovolcano rising to -400 meters (-1,312 feet) in New Zealand's Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Rumble V is located in New Zealand, within the Southern Kermadec Volcanic Arc of the broader Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. Situated at 36.14° S, 178.20° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With an elevation of -400 meters — below sea level — Rumble V 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 composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Rumble V 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 New Zealand near Rumble V, 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. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, 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
Rumble V was discovered in 1992 at the southernmost end of the Rumble seamounts on the southern Kermadec Ridge, 17 km ESE of Rumble IV. Andesitic and basaltic andesite rocks have been dredged from this volcano, which rises more than 2,000 m to nearly 400 m below the ocean surface and shows a pristine morphology. A large plume of gas bubbles was acoustically detected rising from the summit in 1992, and subsequent expeditions detected evidence of vigorous hydrothermal activity.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Rumble V.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Rumble V
Is Rumble V an active volcano?+
Rumble V is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Unrest / Holocene." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Rumble V?+
Rumble V has a summit elevation of -400 meters (-1,312 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -400 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Rumble V?+
Rumble V 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 Rumble V located?+
Rumble V is located in New Zealand, in the Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southern Kermadec Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -36.142° latitude, 178.196° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Rumble V?+
Rumble V can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. New Zealand may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.