About Ly Son Group
Ly Son Group is a volcanic field rising to 157 meters (515 feet) in Vietnam's Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Ly Son Group is located in Vietnam, within the Southeast Asia Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 15.38° N, 109.12° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. At just 157 meters above sea level, Ly Son Group 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
Ly Son Group 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 Ly Son Group tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Vietnam more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, 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 Lý Son (formerly known as Cù-Lao Ré) volcanic group consists of four subaerial and nine submarine cones about 150 km off the coast of central Vietnam. Three of the subaerial cones form Lý Son Island, and the fourth forms An Binh (or Dao Be) Island. The basaltic volcanic field is of Holocene age (Whitford-Stark 1987, pers. comm.).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Ly Son Group.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Ly Son Group
Is Ly Son Group an active volcano?+
Ly Son Group 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 Ly Son Group?+
Ly Son Group has a summit elevation of 157 meters (515 feet) above sea level. At 157 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Ly Son Group?+
Ly Son Group 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 Ly Son Group located?+
Ly Son Group is located in Vietnam, in the Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southeast Asia Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 15.380° latitude, 109.120° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Ly Son Group?+
Ly Son Group can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Vietnam may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
