Terceira Volcano
Updated: Apr 17, 2025 21:32 GMT -
stratovolcano, caldera, lavadomes
Terceira Island, Azores, 38.74°N / -27.32°W 
Summit height: 1023 m
Current status: restless (2 out of 5)
Last update: 27 Jun 2024 (strongly increased seismic activity)
Santa Barbara Terceira volcano (image: Eva Kubelková)
Terceira Island contains 4 stratovolcanoes and fissure systems constructed along a prominent ESE-WNW-trending fissure zone that cuts across the island.
The westernmost volcanic center, Santa Barbara volcano, is the youngest and the one active in historic times. Its edifice is truncated by two calderas.
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Terceira volcano eruptions: 1998 Nov-2000 Mar (submarine), 1867, 1761, 1400 ± 50 years, 1200 ± 300 years, 920 AD ± 50 years, 820 AD ± 40 years, 190 AD ± 40 years, 70 AD ± 40 years, 60 BC (?), 90 BC ± 100 years, 670 BC ± 300 years, 940 BC ± 50 years, 2530 BC ± 40 years, 6720 BC ± 50 years
Latest nearby earthquakes
Background
Historically active Santa Barbara volcano at the western end of the island is truncated by two calderas. The youngest of these formed about 15,000 years ago. Comenditic lava domes fill and surround the caldera.Pico Alto lies north of the fissure zone in the north-central part of the island and contains a Pleistocene caldera largely filled by lava domes and lava flows.
Guilherme Moniz caldera lies along the fissure zone immediately to the south, and 7-km-wide Cinquio Picos caldera at the SE end of the island is the largest in the Azores. Historical eruptions have occurred from Pico Alto, the fissure zone between Pico Alto and Santa Barbara, and from submarine vents west of Santa Barbara.
Most Holocene eruptions have produced basaltic-to-rhyolitic lava flows from the fissure zone transecting the island.
Terceira Volcano Photos
Coast of Biscoitos, Terceira Isl., Acores (Photo: WNomad)
natural volcanic swimming pools of Biscoitos, Terceira Isl., Acores (Photo: WNomad)
Gruta do Algar do Carvao, Terceira Island, Acores (Photo: WNomad)
Lagoa in Gruta do Algar do Carvao, Terceira Island, Acores (Photo: WNomad)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Terceira volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Terceira has had at least 15 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 3 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Terceira volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Terceira can be found on the news page of Terceira volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serreta Ridge (submarine vent W of Terceira) Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
| Submarine vent 3-6 WNW of Terceira Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
| Fissure zone (east of Santa Barbara) Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Farol I dome (Santa Barbara) | ? | ||||
| Guilherme Moniz (Pico Alto) | ? | ||||
| Guilherme Moniz (Quinta da Madalena) | ? | ||||
| Santa Barbara | ? | ||||
| Guilherme Moniz (Pico Alto) | ? | ||||
| Fissure zone (east of Santa Barbara) | ? | ||||
| Fissure zone (south of Pico Alto) | ? | ||||
| Fissure zone (east of Santa Barbara) | ? | ||||
| Guilherme Moniz | ? | ||||
| Santa Barbara NW flank (Lagoinha dome) | ? | ||||
| Fissure zone (east of Santa Barbara) | ? | ||||
| Guilherme Moniz (Pico das Pardelas) | ? | ||||
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
Terceira Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Terceira volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Terceira occurred during 1998 - 2000.
+How often does Terceira volcano erupt?
Since 1761, Terceira volcano has had at least 3 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 88 years.
Many eruptions of Terceira have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 5 out of 264 years until now. In other words, Terceira has been active at least one in 52.8 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Terceira is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Terceira volcano at present?
Terceira volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had 3 eruptions, and been active during 3 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Terceira has been in eruption one in 42 years on average. The last eruption was from 1998 until 2000 and ended 25 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Terceira volcano?
The largest eruption of Terceira volcano in historic times occurred in 1867. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Terceira Volcano Tours
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Terceira 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 Terceira volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Terceira volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Terceira volcano (scale of few kilometers)
