About Baluan
Baluan is a stratovolcano rising to 246 meters (807 feet) in Papua New Guinea's Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Baluan is located in Papua New Guinea, within the Bismarck Sea Volcanic Province of the broader Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 2.56° S, 147.28° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At just 246 meters above sea level, Baluan 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.
GVP Reference Summary
The circular, 5.5-km-wide island of Baluan in the Admiralty Islands is formed by a Pleistocene stratovolcano with a large summit crater and several flank vents. Some of these might be of Holocene age (Johnson, 1990 pers. comm.). In contrast to its neighboring islands to the north, Baluan has erupted basaltic rather than rhyolitic rocks. Sabroma, the elliptical summit crater, has a maximum width of about 1 km. The arcuate rim of the Batapona pyroclastic cone is prominent at the north edge of the island. Several small islands consisting of cone remnants are located within a kilometer of the north coast. Warm springs occur along the coast. An unsubstantiated description of a submarine eruption near the island in 1931 has been assigned to the Tuluman volcano of the St. Andrew Strait complex, located 9 km NNE of Baluan..
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Baluan.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Baluan
Is Baluan an active volcano?+
Baluan is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Baluan?+
Baluan has a summit elevation of 246 meters (807 feet) above sea level. At 246 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Baluan?+
Baluan 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 Baluan located?+
Baluan is located in Papua New Guinea, in the Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Bismarck Sea Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -2.558° latitude, 147.285° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Baluan?+
Baluan can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Papua New Guinea may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
