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Late

Photo of this volcano
  • Tonga
  • Stratovolcano
  • 1854 CE
  •  
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 18.806°S
  • 174.65°W

  • 540 m
    1772 ft

  • 243090
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number
Most Recent Weekly Report: 30 November-6 December 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

On 29 November Tonga Geological Services reported results from a recent visit to Late. The observers noted warmed ground surfaces, steam rising from fresh cracks, and vents at the summit. The features were too small to be identified in satellite images processed by VOLCAT (Volcanic Cloud Analysis Toolkit) software. They concluded that the features were the result of low-temperature hydrothermal activity driven by a shallow magma body at depth, and that the cracks were the result of past volcanic activity. There were no risks to local communities and mariners were advised to report any observable changes to the island. The Alert Levels all remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale) for mariners, residents, and the aviation community.

Source: Tonga Geological Services, Government of Tonga


Most Recent Bulletin Report: December 1979 (SEAN 04:12) Citation IconCite this Report

Report of ash near the summit proves false

Most of the reported eruption sites were investigated during the 11-18 July cruise of the Fijian research vessel RV Bulikula. An inspection of Late Island, where whitish material thought to be ash reportedly covered the summit cone on 18 and 21 May, revealed no trace of a whitish covering other than scattered patches of white lichen, and no evidence of a recent eruption.

Information Contacts: D. Woodhall and R. Richmond, Mineral Resources Dept., Fiji; D. Tuni, Ministry of Natural Resources, Solomon Islands.

Weekly Reports - Index


2022: November


30 November-6 December 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

On 29 November Tonga Geological Services reported results from a recent visit to Late. The observers noted warmed ground surfaces, steam rising from fresh cracks, and vents at the summit. The features were too small to be identified in satellite images processed by VOLCAT (Volcanic Cloud Analysis Toolkit) software. They concluded that the features were the result of low-temperature hydrothermal activity driven by a shallow magma body at depth, and that the cracks were the result of past volcanic activity. There were no risks to local communities and mariners were advised to report any observable changes to the island. The Alert Levels all remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale) for mariners, residents, and the aviation community.

Source: Tonga Geological Services, Government of Tonga


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.

06/1979 (SEAN 04:06) No activity visible

12/1979 (SEAN 04:12) Report of ash near the summit proves false




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


June 1979 (SEAN 04:06) Citation IconCite this Report

No activity visible

A message received from the ship MV Marama at 1445 on 31 May stated that... no activity was visible on Late.

Information Contacts: R. Richmond, Mineral Resources Dept., Fiji; J. Latter, DSIR, Wellington; S. Tongilava, Lands Survey and Natural Resources, Tonga; R. Jones, Air Tonga.


December 1979 (SEAN 04:12) Citation IconCite this Report

Report of ash near the summit proves false

Most of the reported eruption sites were investigated during the 11-18 July cruise of the Fijian research vessel RV Bulikula. An inspection of Late Island, where whitish material thought to be ash reportedly covered the summit cone on 18 and 21 May, revealed no trace of a whitish covering other than scattered patches of white lichen, and no evidence of a recent eruption.

Information Contacts: D. Woodhall and R. Richmond, Mineral Resources Dept., Fiji; D. Tuni, Ministry of Natural Resources, Solomon Islands.

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 2 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1854 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode NE flank
1854 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at NE flank

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Uncertain
1854    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1790 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode NE flank?
1790 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at NE flank?

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Uncertain
1790    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Late.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Late.

GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 20 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 111547-1 Basaltic Andesite -- --
NMNH 111547-10 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-11 Basaltic Andesite -- --
NMNH 111547-12 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-13 Basaltic Andesite -- --
NMNH 111547-14 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-16 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-18 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-19 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-20 Basaltic Andesite -- --
NMNH 111547-21 Basaltic Andesite -- --
NMNH 111547-22 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-2A Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-2B Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-2C Basaltic Andesite -- --
NMNH 111547-3 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-4 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-6 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-8 Volcanic Rock -- --
NMNH 111547-9 Volcanic Rock -- --
External Sites