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Jebel Zubair Volcano

Updated: Mar 29, 2024 08:16 GMT -
shield volcano 191 m / 627 ft
Red Sea (Yemen), 15.16°N / 42.1°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 15 Dec 2021 (no signs of activity after 24 Nov 2013)

Jebel Zubair volcano is a shield volcano forming the island of the same name in the Red Sea. Measuring 5 km in length, it is the largest of a group of 10 small volcanic islands and shoals known as the Zubair archipelago, which includes the Zubair, Centre Peak, Saba, and Haycock islands.
A new eruption in Dec 2011 was first reported on 19 Dec 2011. The eruption lasted until mid January 2012 and produced a new island immediately NW of Rugged Island.

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Typical eruption style: effusive
Jebel Zubair volcano eruptions: 2011 Dec - Jan 2012, 1846 (?), 1824

Latest nearby earthquakes

No recent earthquakes
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Background

The Zubair group is the subaerial part of a volcanic shield that from a shallow platform in the Red Sea rift. The platform and eruptive vents forming the islands are oriented NNW-SSE parallel to the rift.
An early explosive phase was followed by a brief period of marine erosion, and then by renewed explosive activity accompanied by the extrusion of basaltic pahoehoe lava flows. This latest phase of activity occurred on the morphologically youngest islands of Zubair, Centre Peak, Saba, and Haycock. Spatter cones and pyroclastic cones were erupted along fissures that form the low spine of Zubair Island.
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Source: Smithsonian / GVP volcano information

Latest satellite images

JebelZubair satellite image sat1JebelZubair satellite image sat2
Tue, 26 Nov 2013, 17:37

Jebel Zubair (Red Sea, Jemen): volcanic activity at the new island might have ended

Comparison google earth image and Landsat satellite image from 24 Nov, where the new island can be seen (Blog Culture Volcan)
Satellite images show signs of ongoing activity (steam plume, discolored water) at the new island at least until 20 November. A satellite image from 24 November shows no such signs any more, suggesting that the activity has stopped or paused. ... Read all
Thu, 14 Nov 2013, 11:24

Jebel Zubair (Red Sea, Jemen): weak eruptive activity resumes on new island

MODIS / Terra satellite image 11 Nov showing the gas plume and discolored water plume
Signs of weak continuing or renewed activity could be spotted again on recent satellite data after few weeks with no evidence of activity. ... Read all

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