About Rumble IV
Rumble IV is a stratovolcano rising to -500 meters (-1,640 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 IV is located in New Zealand, within the Southern Kermadec Volcanic Arc of the broader Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. Situated at 36.13° S, 178.05° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With an elevation of -500 meters — below sea level — Rumble IV 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 IV 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 IV, 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
The submarine Rumble IV volcano was thought to have been active from April to December 1966, based on hydrophone signals (Kibblewhite, 1967), but later evidence indicated that the hydrophone array had been damaged and the signals originated from Rumble III (Hall, 1985). Fresh, glassy andesitic lava was dredged from the summit in 1992 during a New Zealand Oceanographic Institute cruise, and gas bubbles were acoustically detected rising from Rumble IV.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Rumble IV.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Rumble IV
Is Rumble IV an active volcano?+
Rumble IV 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 IV?+
Rumble IV has a summit elevation of -500 meters (-1,640 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -500 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Rumble IV?+
Rumble IV 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 IV located?+
Rumble IV 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 -36.130° latitude, 178.050° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Rumble IV?+
Rumble IV 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.
