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Report on Witori (Papua New Guinea) — February 2004


Witori

Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, vol. 29, no. 2 (February 2004)
Managing Editor: Edward Venzke.

Witori (Papua New Guinea) Two explosions on 24 February 2004, otherwise quiet during that month

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2004. Report on Witori (Papua New Guinea) (Venzke, E., ed.). Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network, 29:2. Smithsonian Institution. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.BGVN200402-252080



Witori

Papua New Guinea

5.5745°S, 150.5161°E; summit elev. 724 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Pago was mainly quiet throughout the month of February 2004. However, two explosions were reported in the early hours of 24 February [see update and correction in BGVN 29:04]. The explosions were accompanied by thick dark grey ash clouds from the lower and upper vents. The ash clouds drifted SW of the volcano resulting in fine ashfall downwind. Jet-like noises were also heard at 0140 on 24 February accompanying the explosions. A weak glow was visible from the lower vents.

Geological Summary. The active Pago cone has grown within the Witori caldera (5.5 x 7.5 km) on the northern coast of central New Britain contains the active Pago cone. The gently sloping outer caldera flanks consist primarily of dacitic pyroclastic-flow and airfall deposits produced during a series of five major explosive eruptions from about 5,600 to 1,200 years ago, many of which may have been associated with caldera formation. Pago cone may have formed less than 350 years ago; it has grown to a height above the caldera rim, and a series of ten dacitic lava flows from it covers much of the caldera floor. The youngest of these was erupted during 2002-2003 from vents extending from the summit nearly to the NW caldera wall. The Buru caldera cuts the SW flank.

Information Contacts: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), P.O. Box 386, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea.