"A slight increase in activity occurred in November with reports of brown ash clouds from Southern and Main craters. Ashfalls were reported along the NW and SW parts of the island. On the 26th, small incandescent ejections were reported from Southern crater and rumbling was heard at the observatory 7-9, 25-26, and 29 November. Seismic amplitudes remained at non-eruptive levels with a slight increase toward the end of the month. Daily numbers of earthquakes remained low throughout the month."

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: B. Talai, RVO.