During 16 February to 31 March, activity at Bagana was at moderate levels. Mostly gas emissions occurred, but on 27 March an ash cloud was emitted. During 15-31 March, observers noted moderate-to-bright incandescence, projections of lava fragments, and a lava flow traveling down the volcano's SSW flank.

Geological Summary. Bagana volcano, occupying a remote portion of central Bougainville Island, is one of Melanesia's youngest and most active volcanoes. This massive symmetrical cone was largely constructed by an accumulation of viscous andesitic lava flows. The entire edifice could have been constructed in about 300 years at its present rate of lava production. Eruptive activity is frequent and characterized by non-explosive effusion of viscous lava that maintains a small lava dome in the summit crater, although explosive activity occasionally producing pyroclastic flows also occurs. Lava flows form dramatic, freshly preserved tongue-shaped lobes up to 50 m thick with prominent levees that descend the flanks on all sides.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) via the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center