About Popa
Popa is a stratovolcano rising to 1,518 meters (4,981 feet) in Burma (Myanmar)'s Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 6050 BCE. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions, with a maximum Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 3.
Geography & Climate
Popa is located in Burma (Myanmar), within the Southeast Asia Volcanic Province of the broader Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 20.92° N, 95.25° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a tropical climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,518 meters above sea level, Popa 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
Popa 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 Popa tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Burma (Myanmar) 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.
Eruption History Summary
Popa has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 6050 BCE to 442 BCE. The most powerful recorded event was a severe eruption capable of regional ash fall and pyroclastic flows in 6050 BCE, reaching VEI 3 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index. These eruptions span roughly 5,608 years of volcanic history.
Significance
With a maximum recorded VEI of 3, Popa has produced eruptions capable of generating pyroclastic flows and significant ash fall in the surrounding area. While not among the largest eruptions globally, VEI 3 events pose serious hazards to local populations and can disrupt regional air travel.
GVP Reference Summary
Mount Popa, in central Burma (Myanmar), is a large, steep-sided composite cone that rises above a surrounding lava plateau. The main edifice consists of overlapping basaltic and basaltic andesite lava flows, pyroclastic deposits, and scoriaceous material originating from Strombolian eruptions that may have dominated later stages of the volcano's growth. A 1.6-km-wide, 850-m-deep crater is widely breached to the NW as a result of slope failure. A debris avalanche deposit (3 km3) covers an area of 27 km2 N of the breach. The pyroclastic flow and debris avalanche deposits overlie a paleosol 14C dated around 8,500 cal BP, so Belousov et al. (2018) placed the last eruption at approximately 8,000 cal BP. Local legends describe "a great earthquake" when the cone of Popa "rose from the plains" in 442 BCE (Belousov et al., 2018, citing Bell, 1907), but there is no physical evidence of an eruption that recent. The steep Taung Kalat lava plug on the WSW flank is famous for the monastery built on top.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 442 BCE | — | Uncertain Eruption | — |
| 6050 BCE | 3 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Popa
Is Popa an active volcano?+
Popa is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 6050 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Popa last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Popa occurred in 442 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Uncertain Eruption." Popa has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Popa?+
Popa has a summit elevation of 1,518 meters (4,981 feet) above sea level. At 1,518 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Popa?+
Popa 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 Popa located?+
Popa is located in Burma (Myanmar), in the Eastern Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Southeast Asia Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 20.920° latitude, 95.250° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Popa?+
Popa can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Burma (Myanmar) may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
