Novarupta Volcano
Updated: Apr 17, 2025 04:46 GMT -
Caldera
United States, Alaska Peninsula, 58.27°N / -155.16°W 
Summit height: 841 m / 2,759 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 6 Jan 2022 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)
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Novarupta volcano eruptions: 1912
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 15, 02:54 pm (Universal Time) | 0.3 1.3 km | 16 km (10.2 mi) to the SW | 83 km NW of Karluk, Alaska | Info | |
| Monday, April 14, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Apr 14, 12:00 am (Universal Time) | 0.0 3.4 km | 10 km (6.2 mi) to the E | 86 km NNW of Karluk, Alaska | Info | |
| Sunday, April 13, 2025 GMT (5 quakes) | |||||
| Apr 13, 01:05 pm (GMT -8) | 0.9 30 km | 4.5 km (2.8 mi) to the S | 84 km NNW of Karluk, Alaska | Info | |
| Apr 13, 09:03 pm (Universal Time) | 1.0 34 km | 2 km (1.3 mi) to the SE | 86 km NNW of Karluk, Alaska | Info | |
| Apr 13, 01:00 pm (GMT -8) | 0.2 33 km | 2.3 km (1.4 mi) to the S | 106 mi west of Kodiak, Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska, United States | Info | |
| Apr 13, 05:19 pm (Universal Time) | 1.7 0.3 km | 17 km (10.4 mi) to the SW | 86 km NW of Karluk, Alaska | Info | |
| Apr 13, 09:19 am (GMT -8) | 0.5 0.3 km | 17 km (10.4 mi) to the SW | Alaska Peninsula | Info | |
| Wednesday, April 9, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Apr 9, 07:41 pm (Universal Time) | 1.2 26 km | 30 km (18 mi) to the SW | 88 km NW of Karluk, Alaska | Info | |
| Monday, April 7, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Apr 7, 01:44 pm (Universal Time) | 1.3 3.8 km | 2.4 km (1.5 mi) to the SE | 86 km NNW of Karluk, Alaska | Info | |
Background
Novarupta, the least topographically prominent volcano in the Katmai area, was formed during a major eruption in 1912. This eruption was the world's largest during the 20th century and produced a voluminous rhyolitic airfall tephra and the renowned Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes (VTTS) ash flow. At the end of the eruption a small, 65-m-high, 400-m-wide lava dome grew to an elevation of 841 m within the source vent of the VTTS ashflow, a 2-km-wide area of subsidence NW of Trident volcano. The NE side of the Falling Mountain lava dome of the Trident volcanic cluster, as well as Broken Mountain and Baked Mountain, was removed by collapse of the Novarupta depression, which is marked by radial and scalloped arcuate fractures. Much larger collapse took place at Katmai volcano, 10 km to the east, where a 3 x 4 km wide caldera formed in response to magma reservoir drainage toward Novarupta.---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Significant volcanic eruptions: Novarupta volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Novarupta has had only one confirmed historic eruption in 1912. Additionally, there are 2 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Novarupta volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Novarupta volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Novarupta can be found on the news page of Novarupta volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Discredited Eruption | ||||||
Discredited Eruption | ||||||
Historical obs./docs. | 6 | |||||
| 1912 Sep 6 (eruption | Historical obs./docs. | 6 | 2 | Info | ||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Novarupta Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Novarupta volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Novarupta occurred in 1912.
+How often does Novarupta volcano erupt?
Since 1912, Novarupta volcano has had at least 1 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 113 years.
+How active is Novarupta volcano at present?
Novarupta volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had one eruption, which occurred in 1912.
+When was the largest eruption of Novarupta volcano?
The largest eruption of Novarupta volcano in historic times occurred in 1912. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 6 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.
Latest satellite images
Novarupta Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Novarupta volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Novarupta volcano (scale of few kilometers)
