About Kana Keoki
Kana Keoki is a stratovolcano rising to -700 meters (-2,297 feet) in Solomon Islands'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
Kana Keoki is located in Solomon Islands, within the Solomon Volcanic Province of the broader Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. Situated at 8.75° S, 157.03° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With an elevation of -700 meters — below sea level — Kana Keoki is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature. Submarine volcanoes make up the majority of Earth's volcanic activity, though most eruptions go unobserved beneath the ocean surface. 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
Kana Keoki 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 Solomon Islands near Kana Keoki, 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Bathymetry and petrologic evidence indicated the presence of an active dacitic submarine volcano SW of Rendova Island (Taylor, 1987). Kana Keoki Seamount, located along the Ghizo Ridge south of the convergent margin between the Indo-Australian and Pacific plates, rises to within about 700 m of the surface from a depth of 3,700 m and is surrounded by a volcaniclastic apron.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Kana Keoki.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Kana Keoki
Is Kana Keoki an active volcano?+
Kana Keoki 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 Kana Keoki?+
Kana Keoki has a summit elevation of -700 meters (-2,297 feet) above sea level. With an elevation of -700 meters (below sea level), this is a submarine or submerged volcanic feature.
What type of volcano is Kana Keoki?+
Kana Keoki 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 Kana Keoki located?+
Kana Keoki is located in Solomon Islands, in the Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Solomon Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -8.750° latitude, 157.030° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Kana Keoki?+
Kana Keoki can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Solomon Islands may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
