Guguan
Location: 17.3N, 145.9E
Elevation: 301m (988 ft.)
Area 4 sq. km
Island type: 2 volcanic cones, deep ravines, and coastal cliffs
Guguan is a stratovolcano and part of the Marianas volcanic arc. The volcanoes of this arc are related to the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Philippine Plate. A single historic eruption at Guguan in 1883 produced pyroclastic flows and lava flows. It is situated 130 nautical miles north of Saipan and is 1.5 square miles in area. The northwest wall of the active volcano has collapsed and a new cone has built up above the wall of the old one. There are deep ravines between the two peaks. Smoke and large quantities of sulfur sometimes erupt from the volcano. The sulfur has given the mountain the appearance of a snowcap from a distance. The coast is bordered by steep basaltic rock with gables of high ridges with deep, rain eroded gorges. At times a lake forms within the crater.
Human impact: uninhabited.
Ecosystems: northern cone bare cinders and other volcanic material, Southern cone with lowland rain forest.
Special Features: 1 active and 1 dormant volcano; seabird rookery; proposed as marine sanctuary.
Species of conservation interest
Birds:
Megapodius laperouse laperouse (Marianas Megapode) group epidemic Subspecies, Rare (RDP) possibly present.
Ratings
National conservation status 1.
Ecosystem richness 1.
Species richness 1.
Economic pressure 0.
Human threat 0.
Natural vulnerability 2.
Practicality of conservation action 2.
Reliability of data 1.
Human impact 0.
Conservation importance 17
Uracas Maug Ascuncion Agrigan Pagan Alamagan Guguan Sarigan Anatahan Medinilla