About Bola
Bola is a stratovolcano rising to 1,116 meters (3,662 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
Bola is located in Papua New Guinea, within the Bismarck Volcanic Arc of the broader Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 5.14° S, 150.04° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,116 meters above sea level, Bola 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
Bola 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 Bola, 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
Bola volcano (also known as Wangore) is a symmetrical stratovolcano located immediately SW of Dakataua caldera on the Willaumez Peninsula. The forested andesitic cone has a 400-m-wide crater with a 100-m-high eastern wall and a low western rim. Three large explosion craters occupy the NE flank. The most recent lava flow issued from the summit crater and flowed to the west. This viscous flow is at least 50 m thick, leaving an irregularity in the profile of the volcano. The summit crater morphology and weak fumarolic activity suggested to Lowder and Carmichael (1970) that the most recent eruption may have been only a few hundred years ago.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Bola.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Bola
Is Bola an active volcano?+
Bola 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 Bola?+
Bola has a summit elevation of 1,116 meters (3,662 feet) above sea level. At 1,116 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Bola?+
Bola 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 Bola located?+
Bola 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 -5.141° latitude, 150.038° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Bola?+
Bola 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.
