Report on Bagana (Papua New Guinea) — 26 December-1 January 2008
Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 26 December-1 January 2008
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2007. Report on Bagana (Papua New Guinea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 26 December-1 January 2008. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Bagana
Papua New Guinea
6.137°S, 155.196°E; summit elev. 1855 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
Based on observations of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash-and-steam plume from Bagana drifted WSW on 26 December. A plume rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W on 27 December. RVO advised that intermittent activity was continuing.
Geological Summary. Bagana volcano, in a remote portion of central Bougainville Island, is frequently active. 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 characterized by non-explosive effusion of viscous lava that maintains a small lava dome in the summit crater, although occasional explosive activity produces pyroclastic flows. Lava flows with tongue-shaped lobes up to 50 m thick and prominent levees descend the flanks on all sides.
