Report on Langila (Papua New Guinea) — 10 July-16 July 2002
Smithsonian / US Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report,
10 July-16 July 2002
Managing Editor: Gari Mayberry
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2002. Report on Langila (Papua New Guinea). In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 July-16 July 2002. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Langila
Papua New Guinea
5.525°S, 148.42°E; summit elev. 1330 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
Based on information from a pilot report, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 11 July at about 0900 an ash cloud from Langila was observed at a height of ~3.4 km. No ash was identifiable on satellite imagery.
Geological Summary. Langila, one of the most active volcanoes of New Britain, consists of a group of four small overlapping composite basaltic-andesitic cones on the lower E flank of the extinct Talawe volcano in the Cape Gloucester area of NW New Britain. A rectangular, 2.5-km-long crater is breached widely to the SE; Langila was constructed NE of the breached crater of Talawe. An extensive lava field reaches the coast on the N and NE sides of Langila. Frequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded since the 19th century from three active craters at the summit. The youngest and smallest crater (no. 3 crater) was formed in 1960 and has a diameter of 150 m.
