About Hargy
Hargy is a stratovolcano rising to 1,148 meters (3,767 feet) in Papua New Guinea's Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 950 CE. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Hargy is located in Papua New Guinea, within the Bismarck Volcanic Arc of the broader Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 5.33° S, 151.10° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,148 meters above sea level, Hargy 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
Hargy 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 Hargy, 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 dacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
Eruption History Summary
Hargy has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 5050 BCE to 950 CE. These eruptions span roughly 6,000 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
This little-known volcano is one of several major calderas on the island of New Britain. The 10 x 12 km Hargy caldera, whose floor is 150 m above sea level, contains an inner caldera with a steep west-facing wall. A caldera lake on the SE side drains through a narrow gap in the northern caldera wall. The latest caldera-forming eruption of Hargy volcano took place about 11,000 years ago. The dacitic Galloseulo lava cone rises above and partially overtops the western rim of the caldera. A double crater occupies a larger 700-m-wide crater. Numerous small eruptions have taken place at Galloseulo over the past 7000 years, the last occurring about 1000 years ago.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 950 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Galloseulo |
| 5050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Galloseulo |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Hargy
Is Hargy an active volcano?+
Hargy is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 950 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Hargy last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Hargy occurred in 950 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Hargy has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Hargy?+
Hargy has a summit elevation of 1,148 meters (3,767 feet) above sea level. At 1,148 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Hargy?+
Hargy 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 Hargy located?+
Hargy 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 -5.330° latitude, 151.100° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Hargy?+
Hargy 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.
