Titan Ridge Volcano
Undersea volcano in Papua New Guinea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Titan Ridge Volcano, also known as the Central Bismarck Sea Volcano, is an actively erupting submarine volcano in the Bismarck Sea. It is located 125 kilometres (78 mi) southeast of Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, on the northern edge of the South Bismarck plate. It has two recorded eruptions: a minor one in 1972, and an ongoing one in 2026. It was provisionally named in May 2026.[2]
| Titan Ridge Volcano | |
|---|---|
The volcano erupting on 15 May 2026 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | –1,300 m[1] |
| Coordinates | 3°02′S 147°47′E[1] |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Bismarck Sea, Papua New Guinea |
| Geology | |
| Submarine volcano; fissure vent | |
| Volcanic zone | Bismarck Sea Volcanic Province |
| Last eruption | 2026 (ongoing) |
Geography and geology
The Titan Ridge Volcano is located in about 125 kilometres (78 mi) southeast of Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, in the Bismarck Sea.[3] The tectonics of the Bismarck Sea's seafloor are complex, with rifts, scarps, and active subduction. The volcanic vent of the 2026 eruption is thought to be occurring on the Titan Ridge.[4] The volcano is located on the northern edge of the South Bismarck plate,[1] near the junction of the Willaumez transform fault and a back-arc spreading ridge.[4][5] It is part of the Bismarck Sea Volcanic Province.[1]
Eruptive history
A small submarine eruption took began on 8 January 1972. Eruptive activity was detected on 8, 9, and 12 January by underwater hydrophone stations at Manus Island and at Wake and Midway Island in the central Pacific.[1]
2026 eruption
Seismic events were recorded at the volcano on 31 March and 25 April 2026. A swarm of seismic activity likely indicates the beginning of an eruption by 01:10 UTC on 8 May. The new eruption is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) southeast from the site of the 1972 eruption. Plumes of steam and volcanic gasses rising 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) high were visible in satellite imagery on 9–12 May. By 15 May, two separate vents spaced 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) were producing plumes.[1] The eruption's intensity appeared to decline slightly by 25 May, producing less vigorous plumes.[6] The eruption discoloured the water and produced thick[1] pumice rafts, which extended up to 200 kilometres (120 mi) from the volcano.[5] Thermal anomalies detected by satellite and the presence of pumice at the surface suggest the eruption vent is near the sea surface. Prior bathymetry of the area shows a depth of 500–800 metres (1,600–2,600 ft).[2][4] The characteristics of the erupting vent—such as its original depth and whether it has erupted before—are currently unclear.[4]
The eruption raised concerns over tsunami risk.[7] Local fishermen reported floating dead fish and sounds of deep rumbling near the volcano.[3] Aircraft and ships were advised to avoid the area.[5]