No latest activity reported for Kuwae.

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.

Crawford A J, Greene H G, Exon N F, 1988. Geology, petrology and geochemistry of submarine volcanoes around Epi Island, New Hebrides island arc. {In}: Greene H G and Wong F L (eds) {Geology and Offshore Resources of Pacific Island Arcs--Vanuatu Region}, Circum-Pacific Council Energy Min Resour Earth Sci Ser, 8: 301-327

Eissen J-P, Blot C, Louat R, 1991. Chronologie de l'activite volcanique historique de l'arc insulaire des Nouvelles-Hebrides de 1595 a 1991. {ORSTOM Rapports Sci Tech Sci Terre Geol-Geophys}, 2: 1-69

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

Monzier M, Robin C, Eissen J-P, 1994. Kuwae (~1425 A.D.): the forgotten caldera. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 59: 207-218

Nemeth K, Cronin S J, White J D L, 2007. Kuwae caldera and climate confusion. {Open Geol J}, 1: 7-11

Robin C, Monzier M, Crawford A J, Eggins S M, 1993. The geology, volcanology, petrology-geochemistry, and tectonic evolution of the New Hebrides island arc, Vanuatu. {IAVCEI Canberra 1993 excursion guide, Aust Geol Surv Org}, Rec 1993/59, 86 p

Warden A J, 1967b. The geology of the Central Islands. {New Hebrides Condominium Geol Surv Reg Rpt}, 5: 1-108

Williams C E F, Warden A J, 1964. {Progress Report of the Geological Survey for the Period 1959-1962}. New Hebrides: British Service, 75 p

Witter J B, Self S, 2007. The Kuwae (Vanuatu) eruption of AD 1452: potential magnitude and volatile release. {Bull Volc}, 69: 301-318

The largely submarine Kuwae caldera occupies the area between Epi and Tongoa islands. The 6 x 12 km caldera contains two basins that cut the NW end of Tongoa Island and the flank of the late-Pleistocene or Holocene Tavani Ruru volcano on the SE tip of Epi Island. Native legends and radiocarbon dates from pyroclastic-flow deposits have been correlated with a 1452 AD ice-core peak thought to be associated with collapse of Kuwae caldera; however, others considered the deposits to be of smaller-scale eruptions and the ice-core peak to be associated with another unknown major South Pacific eruption. The submarine volcano Karua lies near the northern rim of Kuwae caldera and is one of the most active volcanoes of Vanuatu. It has formed several ephemeral islands since it was first observed in eruption during 1897.