Hydrographers Range
Stratovolcano · 1,915m · Papua New Guinea
About Hydrographers Range
Hydrographers Range is a stratovolcano rising to 1,915 meters (6,283 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
Hydrographers Range is located in Papua New Guinea, within the Trobriand Volcanic Province of the broader Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 9.00° S, 148.37° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,915 meters above sea level, Hydrographers Range 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
Hydrographers Range 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 Hydrographers Range, 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 Hydrographers Range is a forested, deeply dissected andesitic volcanic massif extending from the eastern margin of Mount Lamington north to the coast of eastern Papua New Guinea. Most activity took place during the Pleistocene, but perfectly preserved cinder cones and explosion craters on the southern side of the range suggested that some activity took place during the Holocene (Taylor, 1958). Other well-preserved cones are situated in the high country overlooking Songade village on the coast.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Hydrographers Range.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Hydrographers Range
Is Hydrographers Range an active volcano?+
Hydrographers Range 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 Hydrographers Range?+
Hydrographers Range has a summit elevation of 1,915 meters (6,283 feet) above sea level. At 1,915 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Hydrographers Range?+
Hydrographers Range 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 Hydrographers Range located?+
Hydrographers Range is located in Papua New Guinea, in the Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Trobriand Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -9.000° latitude, 148.370° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Hydrographers Range?+
Hydrographers Range 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.
