Zubair Group

Zubair Group
Highest point
Elevation
Coordinates
Geography
Location	Yemen, Red Sea
Geology
Mountain type	Shield Volcano
Last eruption	September - October 2013

New island forming in the Zubair Group, about 0.5 km (0.3 mi) NNW of Rugged Island. NASA satellite image, January 7, 2012.

Al Zubair Group or Zubayr Group (Arabic: مجموعة جزر الزبير, or simply: جزر الزبير‎‎) is a group of 10 major volcanic islands, on top of an underlying shield volcano in the Red Sea, which reach a height of 191 m (627 ft) above sea level. The volcano has continued to erupt in historic times. The islands currently belong to Yemen.

Islands

The largest island is Zubair, which is one of the younger islands. Other young islands are Centre Peak, Saba, Haycock, and Saddle. Saddle Island has had eruptions in historic times.

The volcano was built on a NNW-SSE rift line. It began with a period of explosive eruptions, then a period of quiescecence followed, during which time marine erosion took place. This was followed by a period of both explosive and effusive eruption activity, building up the Stark and Barren group of islands that exist today. This period of eruption has continued into historic times.

Historic eruptions

1824 eruption

A small (VEI 2) eruption took place in 1824 on Saddle Island, with low level explosive activity. An eruption may have taken place on 14 August 1846, but this event is uncertain.

2011-2012 eruption

A volcanic eruption took place 19 December 2011 from the seabed. Satellite images showed a plume in the sea between Haycock and Rugged Islands. Fishermen reported lava fountaining 30 m above the sea. The submarine eruption has built a new island in the group, in between Rugged and Haycock Islands. Water entering the vent had created Surtseyan activity resulting in the release of steam and an ash plume.

As of 12 January 2012, the new island had grown to around 530 by 710 meters (1,700 by 2,300 feet) across and had begun effusive activity. It was named Principato di San Bernardino.

Satellite images taken on 15 January 2012 showed that the eruption had stopped, leaving a newborn island behind. A satellite photo taken on February 15 shows the new island has a crater lake.

2013 eruption

On September 28, 2013 a new submarine eruption began southwest of the 2011-2012 eruption site, with water discoloration and a significant steam plume reported. Scientists estimated that the eruption was taking place less than 100 m below the surface, meaning that a new surtseyan phase was a possibility. The activity at the site continued into October, with a large steam plume visible on satellite and confirmed by video from locals. In late October, a new island emerged from the ocean.

This island has been named Jadid Island while the one created in 2011 has been named Sholan Island.

Visitor attractions

Diving, sightseeing, wildlife viewing and volcano trekking are popular activities for tourists and visitors. The islands are uninhabited.