Australia Volcanoes
Australia has 4 Holocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Bolded volcanoes have erupted within the past 20 years. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Location | Last Eruption | Primary Volcano Type |
---|---|---|---|
Heard | Kerguelen Plateau | 2023 CE | Stratovolcano |
McBride Volcanic Province | Australia | 5050 BCE | Volcanic field |
McDonald Islands | Kerguelen Plateau | 2005 CE | Complex |
Newer Volcanics Province | Southern Australia | 2900 BCE | Volcanic field |
Chronological listing of known Holocene eruptions (confirmed or uncertain) from volcanoes in Australia. Bolded eruptions indicate continuing activity.
Volcano Name | Start Date | Stop Date | Certainty | VEI | Evidence |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heard | 2012 Sep 5 ± 4 days | 2023 Oct 5 (continuing) | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | 2006 Mar 11 | 2008 Mar 3 | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
McDonald Islands | 2005 Jul 12 (in or before) | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
McDonald Islands | [2004 Nov 14] | [2004 Nov 14] | Uncertain | ||
Heard | 2003 Jun 9 | 2004 Jun 14 | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
McDonald Islands | 2001 May 3 ± 150 days | Unknown | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | 2000 Mar 7 (?) | 2001 Feb 16 ± 15 days | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
McDonald Islands | 1996 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 1997 Feb 10 ± 30 days | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | 1993 Jan 2 ± 15 days | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
McDonald Islands | 1992 Dec 16 ± 15 days | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | 1992 May 29 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | [1992 Jan 17] | [1992 Jan 18] | Uncertain | ||
Heard | 1985 Jan 14 | 1987 Jan 16 (?) ± 15 days | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | 1954 Apr 13 (?) | 1954 Jun 13 (?) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | 1953 Aug 20 | 1953 Nov 18 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | 1950 Jan 24 | 1952 Mar 12 (?) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | 1910 Mar | 1910 Apr | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Heard | [1881 Jun 2] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Newer Volcanics Province | 2900 BCE ± 150 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Newer Volcanics Province | 3000 BCE ± 500 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Radiogenic: Fission track | |
McBride Volcanic Province | 5050 BCE ± 2000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: Ar/Ar | |
Newer Volcanics Province | 5290 BCE (in or before) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Newer Volcanics Province | 5850 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) |
Australia has 9 Pleistocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Location | Primary Volcano Type |
---|---|---|
Atherton Basalt Province | Australia | Shield(s) |
Bundaberg-Boyne Province | Australia | Pyroclastic cone(s) |
Chudleigh Volcanic Province | Australia | Shield(s) |
Fox | Australia | Pyroclastic cone |
Maer Volcanic Province | Australia | Pyroclastic cone(s) |
Mclean Volcanic Province | Australia | Pyroclastic cone(s) |
Nulla Volcanic Province | Australia | Shield(s) |
Piebald Volcanic Province | Australia | Shield(s) |
Sturgeon Volcanic Province | Australia | Shield(s) |
There are 5 photos available for volcanoes in Australia.

Photo by Monica Handler, 1995 (Carnegie Institution).

Photo by A. Hitchman, 1985 (courtesy of Wally Johnson, Australian BMRGG, Canberra).

Photo by Jim Luhr, 1993 (Smithsonian Institution).

Photo by André Giret, Expéditions Polaires Françaises, 1985.

Copyrighted photo by Richard Williams, 1997 (Australian Antarctic Div., published in Global Volcanism Network Bulletin).
This is a compilation of Australia volcano information sources, such as official monitoring or other government agencies.
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center | |
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Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) | |
- Darwin VAAC Archive |