Logo link to homepage

Farallon de Pájaros

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 20.546°N
  • 144.893°E

  • 337 m
    1106 ft

  • 284140
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Bulletin Report: June 1992 (BGVN 17:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Vigorous fuming

When observed from an airplane on 13 May, the volcano continued to fume vigorously, but no active lava was seen.

Information Contacts: R. Moore, USGS; R. Koyanagi, M. Sako, and F. Trusdell, HVO.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Farallon de Pájaros.

Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

09/1981 (SEAN 06:09) Normal fuming and discolored water

10/1990 (BGVN 15:10) Vigorous fuming

06/1992 (BGVN 17:06) Vigorous fuming




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


September 1981 (SEAN 06:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Normal fuming and discolored water

"A 16 July USN flight also covered the Quaternary volcanoes of the Marianas. Fuming and discolored water were observed at Farallon de Pajaros but were not anomalous conditions."

Information Contacts: N. Banks, HVO.


October 1990 (BGVN 15:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Vigorous fuming

"Photographs taken by Civil Defense personnel in early August 1990 from a fixed-wing airplane showed vigorous fuming."

Information Contacts: R. Moore, USGS; R. Koyanagi and M. Sako, HVO.


June 1992 (BGVN 17:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Vigorous fuming

When observed from an airplane on 13 May, the volcano continued to fume vigorously, but no active lava was seen.

Information Contacts: R. Moore, USGS; R. Koyanagi, M. Sako, and F. Trusdell, HVO.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 14 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1952 Oct 26 ± 5 days - 1953 Apr 15 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Summit, east side
1952 Oct 26 ± 5 days - 1953 Apr 15 Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Activity frequently seen in 1952, with explosions during October and November (Hantke, 1955). Lava flows were emplaced on the E and W sides of the summit during February-March 1953, with explosive activity until 15 April (Corwin, 1971).

List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at Summit, east side

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
1952 Oct 26 ± 5 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1951 Aug 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1951 Aug 16 ± 15 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Explosion and formation of subsidiary summit crater (Corwin, 1971).

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Crater Summit.
1951 Aug    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1947 Jan (?) ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Uncertain Episode North side
1947 Jan (?) - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 A plume of discolored sea water from the base of N-flank lava flows was seen in a photo from 1 February 1947; Corwin (1971) suggested that this was caused by cooling of lava flows that entered the sea within the previous few months.

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at North side

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
1947 Jan
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1943 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Summit, south side
1943 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Explosive eruption, destruction of south crater wall, lava flows emplaced on south side (Corwin, 1971).

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Summit, south side

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
   - - - -    - - - - Edifice Destroyed Explosion
1943    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1941 Mar 28 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1941 Mar 28 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 On the night of 28-29 March 1941 "fire was observed shooting out of the top and lava flowing down from the volcano" from a passing ship (Volcano Letter 472).

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 1
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow

1939 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode East side ?
1939 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Strombolian activity, east platform lava flow possibly emplaced at this time (Corwin, 1971). Tanakadate (1940) also noted that "This year [presumably 1939 as the manuscript was being prepared] it is manifesting again its characteristic eruptions."

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at East side ?

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water. Uncertain
1939    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 1

1936 Apr 15 ± 45 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1936 Apr 15 ± 45 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Tanakadate (1940) reported that "In the spring of 1936, reports were received of the Strombolian activity of this volcano, but when the writer visited it in the summer of that year, the explosive eruptions were no more to be seen, slight sulphur fumes being all that could be seen issuing from the crater."

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
1936 Apr 15 ± 45 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 1

[ 1934 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Uncertain Episode
1934 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Without any linkage to eruptive activity described in September-October 1932 or early 1936, or the submarine event in summer 1934 (attributed to Ahyi in this catalog), Tanakadate (1940) notes that "For several months, in 1934, this volcano was quiescent." This suggests ongoing activity, possibly virtually continuous since 1932, but with no details to document a confirmed eruption.

1932 Sep 7 - 1932 Oct 7 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Summit, east side ?
1932 Sep 7 - 1932 Oct 7 Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Strombolian activity, lava flow from summit to sea on W side; lava flow on the E side lava flow tentatively given a 1932 date (Corwin, 1971). Tanakadate (1940) reported that "According to Prof. Tayama, in September-October 1932, the volcano showed intermittently paroxysms every ten to twenty minutes. Following violent detonations, smoke columns rise up to heights of 150 m above the crater, hurling large blocks of red hot lava and lapilli into the sky, shortly after which liquid lava overflows the crater rim on the flank of the volcano into lava canals and find their way into the sea. At night, the incandescent lava could be seen streaming from the crater and dividing into three branches at the lower part, all of them reaching the sea."

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Summit, east side ?

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
1932 Sep 7    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1928 Dec 15 ± 5 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1928 Dec 15 ± 5 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Report from fisherman of an eruption in mid-December 1928 with a high smoke column and violent air shocks (Tanakadate, 1931).

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1928 Dec 15 ± 5 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1925 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1925 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Tanakadate (1940) noted that in 1925 a "...strong Strombolian eruption was seen. In recent times, the activity has consisted of very violent paroxysmus, with emissions of scoriae, which explains the fire phenomena at night."

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
1925    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1912 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode North side ?
1912 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Strombolian activity in 1912, lava flows on the north coast may have been emplaced at same time based on sketches and charts (Corwin, 1971). Tanakadate (1940) noted that in 1912 "...the activity was particularly violent...."

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at North side ?

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water. Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
1912    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1901 Jan (?) - 1902 Dec Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Summit, east side
1901 Jan (?) - 1902 Dec Evidence from Uncertain
 Lava flows on east side emplaced within and possibly prior to 1901 (Corwin, 1971); ash clouds were seen in May 1901 coming from the summit crater. Tanakadate (1940) stated that "In 1901 and 1902 it was... issuing smoke intermittently."

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Summit, east side

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
1901
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 2
1901 May    - - - - Ash Plume

1876 Jan 1 (?) - 1876 Jan 3 (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Summit, NE side
1876 Jan 1 (?) - 1876 Jan 3 (?) Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Explosive eruptions of ash and tephra at 10-minute intervals was observed during a 1-3 January 1876 visit by the German warship SMS Hertha (Captain Knorr).

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Summit, NE side

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1872 Jul 11 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1872 Jul 11 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 Captain Almond of the British barque "Decapolis" reported the island in active eruption on 11 July 1872; a quantity of ashes was blown on board the ship while passing about 3 miles (~5 km) leeward of it (Office of the Marine Board of New South Wales, 1872).

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1865 ] Discredited Eruption

The 1865 date from CAVW is actually the publication date of the 1864 eruption report.

1864 Jan 7 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode SW side
1864 Jan 7 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported
 "Thick black smoke" was issuing from the SW side when seen during the voyage of the Spanish corvette Narvaez, under the command of D. Eugenio Sanchez y Zayas (Rosser, 1870). The 1865 date from CAVW is actually the publication date (Sanchez, 1865, "Anuario de la Direccion de Hidrografia,” año iii.) where the 1864 visit was reported.

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at SW side

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1864 Jan 7    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Farallon de Pájaros.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Farallon de Pájaros.

Photo Gallery

Explosive activity was frequently observed from Farallon de Pajoras volcano in October and November 1952. Lava flows were emplaced on the E and W sides of the summit in February-March 1953. This 1953 photo from the E shows a small plume rising above the summit crater and lighter-gray lava flows in the center that erupted in 1953. The lobe just left of center eventually reached the coast. Explosive activity continued until 15 April. The steep-sided peak on the SE coastline is a remnant of an older caldera.

Photo by U.S. Navy, 1953.
The 2-km-wide island of Farallon de Pajaros is the northernmost and most active volcano of the Mariana Islands. It has been referred to as the "Lighthouse of the western Pacific." The symmetrical, sparsely vegetated cone formed within a caldera, remnants of which form the peak seen here in 1980 in the center along the SE coast. Both summit and flank vents have been active during historical time; flank fissures formed lava flows along the coast.

Photo by Winfrey, 1980 (U.S. Navy).
This 1980 photo from the SE of the small island volcano of Farallón de Pájaros shows unvegetated lava flows that diverted around the vegetated peak to the lower right, which is a remant of a caldera that formed prior to the formation of the present cone.

Photo by Winfrey, 1980 (U.S. Navy).
Ahyi seamount (upper right) is a large submarine volcano that rises to within about 150 m of the sea surface about 18 km SE of the island of Farallon de Pajaros (left-center). At various times since 1979, water discoloration, felt seismicity followed by upwelling of sulfur-bearing water, and a seismically detected submarine eruption have been reported at or near the seamount. Two submarine volcanoes on the flanks of Farallon de Pajaros, Northwest Uracas and Makhahnas, are seen in this NOAA bathymetric image.

Image courtesy of NOAA, 2003 (http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/03fire/logs/mar02/media/nikko.html).
GVP Map Holdings

The Global Volcanism Program has no maps available for Farallon de Pájaros.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Farallon de Pájaros in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites