About Sakar
Sakar is a stratovolcano rising to 947 meters (3,107 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
Sakar is located in Papua New Guinea, within the Bismarck Volcanic Arc of the broader Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 5.41° S, 148.08° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 947 meters above sea level, Sakar is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Sakar 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 Papua New Guinea near Sakar, 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 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
Sakar is an incised stratovolcano with a summit crater lake. Deep valleys cut the flanks of the volcano, which is partially surrounded by coral reefs. An older volcano that forms much of the island consists mainly of porphyritic basaltic rocks. A younger andesitic cone with a 1.5-km-wide crater has been constructed within the larger old crater, whose rim is exposed on the N and E. No eruptions have been reported, but warm springs are found along the SW coast, and a pyroclastic cone on the southern flank of the 8 x 10 km island may be of Holocene age (Johnson, 1990 pers. comm.). A large submarine debris-avalanche deposit lies north of Sakar.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Sakar.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Sakar
Is Sakar an active volcano?+
Sakar is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Sakar?+
Sakar has a summit elevation of 947 meters (3,107 feet) above sea level. At 947 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Sakar?+
Sakar 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 Sakar located?+
Sakar is located in Papua New Guinea, in the Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Bismarck Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are -5.410° latitude, 148.084° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Sakar?+
Sakar 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.
