Volcanic activity and recent uplift on Curtis and Cheeseman Islands, Kermadec Group, Southwest Pacific

Abstract

The Curtis Island solfataric volcano has been quiescent from at least 1887 to the present day, activity being limited to quiet emission of steam and hot water. Three more active occasions are scantily mentioned in the literature, namely “greatly increased activity” in 1899, a solfataric “volcanic disturbance” in 1936, and a possible eruption in 1869–70. The Curtis Island group has been uplifted a total of 18 m in recent time (since c. 190 yr BP), the last uplift of 7 m having occurred between 1929 and 1964. The rocks of the volcanic centre include andesites, bedded tuffs and welded tuffs, but no flow rocks have been described from the two islands that form the emergent portion, although subrounded pebbles of andesite have been collected from both Curtis and Cheeseman Islands.