According to the Darwin VAAC, a pilot reported observing a "smoke" cloud produced from Ulawun at 0730 on 30 April. The cloud was at an altitude of ~9 km a.s.l. and drifting to the NW and SW. Satellite imagery indicated that the cloud may have reached ~13.7 km a.s.l. and that the eruption ceased by ~1530 on 30 April. The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory stated that Ulawun is at a high alert level and further eruptions are possible.

Geological Summary. The symmetrical basaltic-to-andesitic Ulawun stratovolcano is the highest volcano of the Bismarck arc, and one of Papua New Guinea's most frequently active. The volcano, also known as the Father, rises above the N coast of the island of New Britain across a low saddle NE of Bamus volcano, the South Son. The upper 1,000 m is unvegetated. A prominent E-W escarpment on the south may be the result of large-scale slumping. Satellitic cones occupy the NW and E flanks. A steep-walled valley cuts the NW side, and a flank lava-flow complex lies to the south of this valley. Historical eruptions date back to the beginning of the 18th century. Twentieth-century eruptions were mildly explosive until 1967, but after 1970 several larger eruptions produced lava flows and basaltic pyroclastic flows, greatly modifying the summit crater.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)