Didicas Volcano - Eruption History

Eruption History

The have been six historical eruptions recorded from the volcano since the 18th century.

• The very first submarine eruption from the volcano, located on what was known as Didicas reefs of the Farallones, was recorded in 1773.

• In September or October 1856, the first activity started as a column of "smoke" in between the two rocks well known to the locals, but no earthquakes were felt. It is not until the following year that the new volcano made its first appearance. It underwent a violent eruption attended by earthquakes then broke the surface of the sea. From that time to 1860, the volcano was constantly active and in four years had reached a height of 700 feet (210 m). The island was later washed out by the waves and disappeared beneath the sea.

• The eruption in 1900 left three rock masses up to 82 feet (25 m) high.

• The volcano broke the ocean's surface again during the eruption of 1952 that started around March 16. After the activities have subsided the following year, the resulting island is 1+1⁄₂ miles (2.4 km) wide with an elevation of 240 metres (800 ft).

• Fatalities from the volcano was first recorded in the eruption of 1969 when three fishermen were killed while fishing near the volcano. The activity, which started on March 21, came from a new crater on the northern side of the island. Air reconnaissance over the volcano reported bubbling mud on the 20 m (66 ft) wide bottom of the crater. Activity on the volcano waned in June the same year.

• The last eruption of Didicas was in January 6 to 9 in 1978. The mild eruption blanketed the island with fresh volcanic ashes.