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Ambitle   »  Summary

Ambitle

Ambitle Photo

Country:Papua New Guinea
Subregion Name:New Ireland
Volcano Number:0504-02=
Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
Volcano Status:Radiocarbon
Last Known Eruption: 350 BC ± 100 years
Summit Elevation: 450 m 1,476 feet
Latitude: 4.08°S 4°5'0"S
Longitude: 153.65°E 153°39'0"E

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.

Global Volcanism ProgramDepartment of Mineral SciencesNational Museum of Natural HistorySmithsonian Institution

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