SAVO

island in the eastern Solomon Islands, southwestern Pacific Ocean. Rising 1,673 ft (510 m) from the ocean, the island is 5 mi (8 km) long and 2 mi wide. It has no good anchorages. Its active volcano gives off hot waterfalls and sulfur vents and is believed to have dangerous eruptive potential. It last erupted in 1847. Savo was the scene in 1942 of a major U.S.Japanese sea battle in which many ships were sunk. The water southeast of the island is now known as Ironbottom Sound. Pop. (1976) 1,569.