Volcanic Activity Report on Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) — 29 March-4 April 2023

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 29 March-4 April 2023
Managing Editor: Kadie Bennis

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) (Bennis, K L, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 29 March-4 April 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. https://volcano.si.edu/showreport.cfm?gvpvar=GVP.WVAR20230329-252120

Ulawun

Papua New Guinea

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)

RVO reported that after a short-lived eruption at Ulawun on 28 March seismicity decreased and was characterized by very low levels of volcanic tremor at least through 31 March. In addition, small high-frequency volcanic earthquakes were recorded mainly during 29-30 March. White steam plumes of variable densities rose above the summit.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

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.