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Simbo Volcano | Dr John Seach
Last updated: January 2026
Western Province, Solomon Islands
8.29 S, 156.52 E
summit elevation 335 m
Stratovolcano
Simbo Island is located 31 km SW of Ghizo. Simbo was home to head hunters in the 19th century and now is famous for skull houses. The island is classified as a volcano with evidence of effusive lava flows which have not been dated.
Lake Ove is situated on the south west of the island. Its waters are stained green with sulphur. A thermal spring is at the southern end of the lake and the hot water is used to cook megapode eggs.
Ove crater is north west of Mt Matindingi and is mildly fumarolic. Another fumarole is located on the shore below the crater.
Hot fumaroles are also located 200 m SW of the crater. Two volcanic cones are located in the south of the island.
In the north of the island lies Lake Pughele which occupies an old volcanic crater.
Warning: Hydrothermal areas with hot springs and fumaroles can release toxic gases and cause scalding. Sudden activity possible. Remote island; access requires preparation and local guidance.
Geology and Volcanology
Simbo is a stratovolcano in the Solomon Islands arc subduction zone. Features multiple craters, lakes, and persistent low-temperature fumaroles/hot springs. Historical activity effusive with undated lava flows. Monitored remotely by Solomon Islands authorities.
Current Activity (January 2026)
Simbo remains in a quiescent hydrothermal phase. Persistent low-temperature fumaroles and hot springs. Low seismicity. No eruptive activity. Monitoring ongoing; low risk but potential for reactivation.
Post-1900s Quiescence (ongoing)
Low-level fumarolic and hydrothermal activity.
2007 Earthquake
A great earthquake (Mag 8.1) hit 42 km east of Simbo Island on 2nd April 2007. A tsunami hit houses 200 m inland on Simbo Island. After the earthquake, residents on Simbo said the whole island smelled of sulphur. Many people left the island fearing an eruption.
2006 Volcanic Unrest
At the end of September 2006, residents of Simbo Island felt many earthquakes over multiple days. On 21st September there were 7 earthquakes measured. The earthquakes were thought to be due to heating under the volcano.
Further reading
Konig, S. et al., 2007. The role of slab melting in the petrogenesis of high-Mg andesites: evidence from Simbo Volcano, Solomon Islands. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 153(1), p.85.
Simbo Volcano Eruptions
Last eruption was in the early 1900s.