Tanga

East of New Ireland Island


SUMMARY

Type: composite
Activity: dormant
Last Eruption: Holocene
Rock Type: ?
Eruptive Volume: ?
Location Map from Xerox PARC
Latitude: 3.49 S
Longitude: 153.21 E


Geologic Background:

The Tanga Islands are the eroded remnants of a Plio-Pleistocene stratovolcano whose summit was destroyed by caldera collapse during the early Pleistocene. Remnants of the caldera rim appear on Lif (283 m high), Tefa (155 m high), and southern Malendok (472 m high) islands. Bitlik and Bitbok islands are cumulodomes constructed near the center of the caldera. The Tabar, Lihir, Tanga, Feni Island chain north and east of New Ireland has seen Holocene activity at Lihir, ~60 km NW of Tanga. A large phreatomagmatic eruption formed a maar at Ambitle Island in the Feni Group, ~60 km SE of Tanga about 2,300 years ± 100 years ago.

Historic Activity:

  • None.

Recent Activity:

  • Reports of growth (uplift) of Lif Island.
  • Warm springs.

Data Sources:

  • Global Volcanism Network (V. 24, No. 10).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Last Update: 12/15/00