Newer Volcanics Province
Volcanic field · 1,011m · Australia
About Newer Volcanics Province
Newer Volcanics Province is a volcanic field rising to 1,011 meters (3,317 feet) in Australia's Eastern Australia Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 2900 BCE. The volcano has produced 4 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Newer Volcanics Province is located in Australia, within the Southeastern Australia Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Australia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 37.77° S, 142.50° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,011 meters above sea level, Newer Volcanics Province is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Newer Volcanics Province is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Newer Volcanics Province tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Australia more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is trachybasalt / tephrite basanite, 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.
Eruption History Summary
Newer Volcanics Province has 4 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 5850 BCE to 2900 BCE. These eruptions span roughly 2,950 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
The voluminous Newer Volcanics Province covers a broad 15,000 km2 area of SE Australia with nearly 400 small shield volcanoes and explosive vents of Tertiary-to-Holocene age. Volumetrically the vast proportion of volcanic products consist of flat-lying lava flows, although the most prominent features of the volcanic field are the numerous small scoria cones, tuff rings, and maars that rise above the lava plain. Several vents were active during the Holocene; another vent (Mount Tower) is now considered to be of late-Pleistocene age. Late-Pleistocene to Holocene eruptions are characterized by small volume and low explosivity. The youngest dated eruptions took place at Mount Schank and Mount Gambier about 5,000 years ago, when explosive activity formed several maars and associated lava flows.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
4 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2900 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Mt. Gambier |
| 3000 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Mt. Schank |
| 5290 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Mt. Napier |
| 5850 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | Red Rock |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Newer Volcanics Province
Is Newer Volcanics Province an active volcano?+
Newer Volcanics Province is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 2900 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Newer Volcanics Province last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Newer Volcanics Province occurred in 2900 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Newer Volcanics Province has 4 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Newer Volcanics Province?+
Newer Volcanics Province has a summit elevation of 1,011 meters (3,317 feet) above sea level. At 1,011 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Newer Volcanics Province?+
Newer Volcanics Province 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 Newer Volcanics Province located?+
Newer Volcanics Province is located in Australia, in the Eastern Australia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southeastern Australia Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -37.770° latitude, 142.500° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Newer Volcanics Province?+
Newer Volcanics Province can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Australia may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
