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Report on Langila (Papua New Guinea) — 26 September-2 October 2007


Langila

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 26 September-2 October 2007
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2007. Report on Langila (Papua New Guinea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 26 September-2 October 2007. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (26 September-2 October 2007)

Langila

Papua New Guinea

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


RVO reported that emission of ash and white vapor plumes from Langila's Crater 2 continued during 1 August-30 September. Ash plumes rose to altitudes of 1.8-3.3 km (5,900-10,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WNW. The ash emissions were occasionally accompanied by roaring and booming noises. On 8 August, a large explosion produced an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 5.3 km (17,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind. Incandescent fragments were ejected from the summit on 21 and 22 September. Crater 3 was quiet.

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.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)