"Activity . . . increased slightly in July, as shown by more voluminous vapour and ash emissions, stronger sounds, and the resumption of night glow over Main Crater. Emissions from Main Crater consisted of weak to moderate white-grey ash and vapour accompanied by thin blue vapour from 22 to 25 July. Occasional deep roaring noises were heard on the 4th-6th. A weak fluctuating night glow was visible 23-25 July for the first time since April. Southern Crater emitted thin to thick grey-brown ash clouds, occasionally rising to ~400-500 m above the crater rim. Booming and deep roaring noises were heard on most days throughout the month, but no night glow was observed. Seismicity was at a moderate level and tiltmeter measurements showed no change."

Geological Summary. The 10-km-wide island of Manam, lying 13 km off the northern coast of mainland Papua New Guinea, is one of the country's most active volcanoes. Four large radial valleys extend from the unvegetated summit of the conical basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano to its lower flanks. These valleys channel lava flows and pyroclastic avalanches that have sometimes reached the coast. Five small satellitic centers are located near the island's shoreline on the northern, southern, and western sides. Two summit craters are present; both are active, although most observed eruptions have originated from the southern crater, concentrating eruptive products during much of the past century into the SE valley. Frequent eruptions, typically of mild-to-moderate scale, have been recorded since 1616. Occasional larger eruptions have produced pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached flat-lying coastal areas and entered the sea, sometimes impacting populated areas.

Information Contacts: C. McKee, RVO.