Volcano Live

Sangihe Islands, Indonesia

3.138 N, 125.491 E
summit elevation  -5  m
Submarine volcano (temporary island formation)

Banua Wuhu Volcano is located in the Sangihe Islands, Indonesia. Four evenly spaced volcanoes (~ 50 km) make up the Sangihe Islands. Banua Wuhu is located 45 km south of Awu volcano.

It is a submarine volcano which rises 400 m above the ocean floor. The volcano forms a temporary island during eruptions, and subsequently erodes below sea level. The adjacent island of Mahengetang is part of the same volcanic edifice. Dissected volcanic centers lie to the northeast (Kahakitang) and north (Kalama) of Banua Wuhu.

2009 Earthquake
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred 130 km NE of the volcano on 12th February 2009, at a depth of 20 km.

1968 Eruption
A small submarine eruption occurred on 5th September 1968. Water became hot and turbid, but no island was formed. The eruption was preceded by an earthquake on the same day.

1919 Eruption
In 1919 a 70 m long and 12 m high island formed, which disappeared by 1935.

1835 Eruption
In 1835 a 90 m high island formed. By 1848 only a few rocks remained above sea level. Eruptions the 19th century consisted of dome growth and lava flows.

Further reading
Morrice, M. G., et al. "An introduction to the Sangihe arc: Volcanism accompanying arc—arc collision in the Molucca Sea, Indonesia." Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 19.1-2 (1983): 135-165