Bam is a stratovolcano located in Papua New Guinea at a tectonic subduction zone with a continental crust greater than 25 kilometers deep. Rising to an elevation of 685 meters, the volcano has a documented history of volcanic activity consisting of 17 confirmed eruptions recorded across the 19th and 20th centuries CE.
Overview of Recorded Eruptions
According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the historical eruption record for Bam spans from the late 19th century CE through the mid-20th century CE. A total of 17 confirmed eruptions are documented in the official record, all characterized by reported observations.
The earliest recorded eruption in the collection began on July 2, 1872 CE, carrying a start-year uncertainty of 4 years and a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 3.0. Subsequent historical activity includes events such as the eruption starting on November 13, 1877 CE (VEI 3.0), the event on July 12, 1908 CE (VEI 2.0), and the event on July 2, 1924 CE (VEI 2.0). The latest recorded eruption in the collection began on April 28, 1960 CE, and ended on July 6, 1960 CE, with a VEI of 2.0.
Eruption Distribution by Century
Historical activity at Bam is divided across two centuries CE within the official record:
- 19th century CE: 3 confirmed eruptions (earliest starting in 1872 CE)
- 20th century CE: 14 confirmed eruptions (latest concluding in 1960 CE)
Across the 17 confirmed eruptions, 15 include recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) values. The largest recorded VEI for the volcano is 3.0.
Frequently asked questions
What type of volcano is Bam and where is it located?
Bam is a stratovolcano located in Papua New Guinea, standing at an elevation of 685 meters.
How many eruptions have been recorded at Bam?
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program records 17 confirmed eruptions for Bam.
When was the earliest recorded eruption at Bam?
The earliest recorded eruption in the official collection began on July 2, 1872 CE, with a 4-year start uncertainty.
When was the latest recorded eruption at Bam?
The latest recorded eruption in the official collection started on April 28, 1960 CE, and ended on July 6, 1960 CE.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Bam?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Bam is 3.0.
Image credits
- Umbra Lab, Inc. — Wikimedia Commons source — CC BY 4.0
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.