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Garove Volcano | Dr John Seach
Last updated: January 2026
Witu Islands, West New Britain Province,
Papua New Guinea
4.69 S, 149.50 E
summit elevation 368 m
Caldera (stratovolcano)
Garove is the largest island (~26 sq miles) in the Witu (Vitu) Islands group, ~65 km north of New Britain in the Bismarck Sea. The island features a 5 km wide caldera open to the sea in the south, forming a sheltered harbour. Solfatara fields and thermal areas are present on the island.
Warning: Garove is dormant with no historical eruptions but exhibits persistent low-level geothermal activity (solfataras). Hazards include toxic gas emissions and scalding fluids in thermal areas. The region is seismically active, with deep earthquakes common.
Geology and Volcanology
Garove is a basaltic stratovolcano with a prominent caldera formed during Pleistocene or earlier explosive activity. The caldera rim reaches ~368 m, with post-caldera solfataric fields indicating residual heat. No eruptive deposits younger than Holocene are confirmed. Due to its dormant status and remote island location, monitoring relies on regional networks from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory.
Current Activity (January 2026)
Garove continues low-level solfataric activity with persistent fumaroles and thermal areas. No eruptive or significant changes have been reported. Satellite observations show no thermal anomalies suggestive of unrest. The volcano remains dormant.
Eruption History
No confirmed historical or Holocene eruptions. Basaltic lava flows, pumice, lapilli, and bombs indicate past activity, likely Pleistocene or earlier.
Further reading
Edwards, L.R., Hergt, J.M. and Woodhead, J.D., 2006. Garove Island: Degree of melting and melt modification processes in the New Britain Arc. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 70(18), pp.1-1.
Johnson, R.W. and Arculus, R.J., 1978. Volcanic rocks of the Witu Islands, Papua New Guinea: The origin of magmas above the deepest part of the New Britain Benioff zone. Bulletin Volcanologique, 41(4), pp.609-655.
Garove Volcano Eruptions
No confirmed Holocene or historical eruptions
Persistent low-level solfataric activity