Volcanic Activity Report on Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) — 23 July-29 July 2026

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 23 July-29 July 2026
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2026. Report on Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 23 July-29 July 2026. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. https://volcano.si.edu/showreport.cfm?gvpvar=GVP.WVAR20260723-252120

Ulawun

Papua New Guinea

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)

The Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) reported that an ash plume at Ulawun had risen 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E by 1420 on 23 July based on satellite images and information from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO). The plume had dissipated by 2000.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

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.