| Kuwae | |
|---|---|
 Shepherd Islands and associated underwater volcanoes. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | –2 m (–6 ft) avg less than –400 m (–1,312 ft) [1][2] |
| Listing | List of volcanoes in Vanuatu |
| Coordinates | 16°49′45″S 168°32′10″E / 16.82917°S 168.53611°E[1] |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Shepherd Islands, Vanuatu |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Caldera[1] |
| Volcanic arc/belt | New Hebrides arc[1] |
| Last eruption | February to September 1974[1] |
Kuwae was a landmass that existed in the vicinity of Tongoa and was destroyed by volcanic eruption in fifteenth century, probably through caldera subsidence. The exact location of the caldera is debated. A submarine caldera, now known as Kuwae caldera that is located between the Epi and Tongoa islands, is a potential candidate. Kuwae caldera cuts through the flank of the Tavani Ruru volcano on Epi and the northwestern end of Tongoa. Another potential candidate is a proposed caldera between Tongoa and Tongariki.
The submarine volcano Karua, one of the most active volcanoes of Vanuatu, is near the northern rim of Kuwae caldera.
- ^ a b c d e "Kuwae". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2015-10-31.
- ^ Nemeth, K; Cronin, SJ; White, JDL (2007). "Kuwae caldera and climate confusion". The Open Geology Journal. 1 (1): 7–11. Bibcode:2007OGJ.....1....7N. doi:10.2174/1874262900701010007.