About Goodenough
Goodenough is a volcanic field rising to 220 meters (722 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
Goodenough is located in Papua New Guinea, within the Trobriand Volcanic Province of the broader Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 9.36° S, 150.25° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At just 220 meters above sea level, Goodenough 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 cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Goodenough 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 Goodenough, 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
Goodenough is a roughly circular volcanic island that is the westernmost of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands off the NE tip of Papua New Guinea. Several basaltic andesite and andesitic Holocene eruptive centers are located around the margins of fault-bounded metamorphic rocks that form the central part the island. The youngest volcanic features, which include the Walilagi Cones, are located at the SE end of the island. These well-developed ash cones and blocky lava flows on the N and E flanks of the Bwaido Peninsula may have erupted within the past few hundred years.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Goodenough.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Goodenough
Is Goodenough an active volcano?+
Goodenough 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 Goodenough?+
Goodenough has a summit elevation of 220 meters (722 feet) above sea level. At 220 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Goodenough?+
Goodenough is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Goodenough located?+
Goodenough 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 -9.358° latitude, 150.246° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Goodenough?+
Goodenough 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.
