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Report on Langila (Papua New Guinea) — November 1997


Langila

Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, vol. 22, no. 11 (November 1997)
Managing Editor: Richard Wunderman.

Langila (Papua New Guinea) Increased eruptive activity at Crater 2

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 1997. Report on Langila (Papua New Guinea) (Wunderman, R., ed.). Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, 22:11. Smithsonian Institution. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.BGVN199711-252010



Langila

Papua New Guinea

5.525°S, 148.42°E; summit elev. 1330 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Since 20 October, increased activity was noticeable at Crater 2; emissions were thicker, occasional roaring or rumbling sounds were heard, and Vulcanian explosions produced dark black clouds that rose ~2 km above the crater. Occasional loud Vulcanian activity occurred throughout November. A bright fluctuating glow and occasional incandescent projections were visible during 15-25 November. Weak fumarolic vapor was released from Crater 3. Seismic levels remained moderate.

Geological Summary. Langila, one of the most active volcanoes of New Britain, consists of a group of four small overlapping composite basaltic-andesitic cones on the lower E flank of the extinct Talawe volcano in the Cape Gloucester area of NW New Britain. A rectangular, 2.5-km-long crater is breached widely to the SE; Langila was constructed NE of the breached crater of Talawe. An extensive lava field reaches the coast on the N and NE sides of Langila. Frequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded since the 19th century from three active craters at the summit. The youngest and smallest crater (no. 3 crater) was formed in 1960 and has a diameter of 150 m.

Information Contacts: Patrice de Saint-Ours, RVO.