No latest activity reported for Ambitle.

Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Fisher N H, 1957. Melanesia. {Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields}, Rome: IAVCEI, 5: 1-105

Licence P S, Terrill J E, Fergusson L J, 1987. Epithermal gold mineralization, Ambitle Island, Papua New Guinea. {Proc Pacific Rim Cong 1987}, 1: 273-278

Pichler T, Dix G R, 1996. Hydrothermal venting within a coral reef ecosystem, Ambitle Island, Papua New Guinea. {Geology}, 24: 435-438

Wallace D A, Johnson R W, Chappell B W, Arculus R J, Perfit M R, Crick I H, 1983. Cainozoic volcanism of the Tabar, Lihir, Tanga, and Feni Islands, Papua New Guinea: geology, whole-rock analyses, and rock-forming mineral compositions. {Aust Bur Min Resour Geol Geophys Rpt}, 243: 1-62

Ambitle is the larger of two adjacent islands forming the Feni Islands, which are located near the SE end of an island chain north and east of New Ireland. Ambitle is a dominantly Pliocene-to-Pleistocene stratovolcano characterized by a variety of alkalic rocks types. A 3-km-wide central caldera was constructed over Tertiary marine limestone deposits and is occupied by late-Pleistocene trachytic lava domes. A maar on the eastern side of the domes formed about 2300 years ago. Several thermal areas, consisting of hot and boiling springs, mud pools, and low-temperature fumaroles, are found on the western side of the caldera floor and near the western edge of the central lava dome. Shallow-water hydrothermal venting also occurs in a coral reef environment just off the western coast of the island. Babase Island, immediately to the NE of Ambitle, is composed of a Pleistocene stratovolcano and lava dome connected by a narrow isthmus.