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Report on Balbi (Papua New Guinea) — 30 April-6 May 2008


Balbi

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 30 April-6 May 2008
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2008. Report on Balbi (Papua New Guinea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 30 April-6 May 2008. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (30 April-6 May 2008)

Balbi

Papua New Guinea

5.9156°S, 155.0008°E; summit elev. 2715 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Based on information from RVO, the Darwin VAAC reported that Balbi erupted on 7 May. Ash was not detected on satellite imagery. [Correction: RVO later confirmed that Balbi did not erupt on 7 May and attributed the reports to thunderstorm activity.]

Geological Summary. The complex andesitic Balbi stratovolcano on Bougainville Island includes a large number of coalesced cones and lava domes. Five well-preserved craters occupy a NW-SE-trending ridge north of the summit cone, which also contains a crater. Three large valleys with steep headwalls dissect the flanks. The age of the most recent eruption is not known precisely. An oral tradition of a major eruption during the 19th century is thought to be in error, but could refer to minor eruptive activity. Fumaroles are located within 600-m-wide Crater B and on its W flank.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)