Taveuni is a shield volcano located in Fiji, standing at an elevation of 1,241 meters with coordinates latitude -16.8412 and longitude -179.9644. Its tectonic setting is classified as a subduction zone with an unknown crustal thickness. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, the volcano has a total of 34 confirmed eruptions spanning a long historical and pre-historical timeline.
Overview of Eruption History
The record of confirmed eruptions at Taveuni begins as early as 8040 BCE and extends to CE 1550. Across the 34 confirmed events, the largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 2.0. Dating methods for these eruptions include calibrated radiocarbon isotopic dating and tephrochronology correlations, with varying degrees of uncertainty attached to specific start dates depending on the available evidence.
Representative examples from the eruption record illustrate the variety of documentation methods and dates:
- 8040 BCE: A confirmed eruption with a start year uncertainty of 50 years and a VEI of 2.0, documented via calibrated 14C isotopic evidence.
- 1450 BCE: A confirmed eruption indicated by tephrochronology correlation, carrying a modifier and a VEI of 2.0.
- 330 BCE: A confirmed eruption documented through calibrated 14C isotopic evidence with a start year uncertainty of 75 years and a VEI of 2.0.
- CE 1350: A confirmed eruption with a start year uncertainty of 75 years and a VEI of 2.0, identified via tephrochronology correlation.
- CE 1550: A confirmed eruption located near the South Cape, documented via calibrated 14C isotopic evidence with a start year uncertainty of 100 years and a VEI of 0.0. This represents the latest recorded eruption year in the official profile dataset.
Chronological Distribution Across Centuries
Confirmed activity at Taveuni is distributed across numerous centuries reaching far back into BCE eras. Records show activity occurring in individual or multiple events across various periods, including the 81st, 66th, 60th, 53rd, 48th, 36th, 32nd, 8th, 7th, 6th, 4th, 3rd, 17th, 15th, 13th, 12th, 11th, and 1st centuries BCE, as well as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries CE.
Frequently asked questions
When did the earliest recorded eruption at Taveuni take place?
The earliest recorded eruption in Taveuni's official record began around 8040 BCE, with a start year uncertainty of 50 years.
When was Taveuni's latest recorded eruption?
The latest recorded eruption in the official profile occurred in CE 1550, with an uncertainty of 100 years.
How many confirmed eruptions does Taveuni have?
Taveuni has a total of 34 confirmed eruptions recorded in the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program database.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Taveuni?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Taveuni's eruptions is 2.0.
Image credits
- NASA — Wikimedia Commons source — Public domain
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.