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Report on Manam (Papua New Guinea) — 7 May-13 May 2008


Manam

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 7 May-13 May 2008
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2008. Report on Manam (Papua New Guinea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 7 May-13 May 2008. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (7 May-13 May 2008)

Manam

Papua New Guinea

4.08°S, 145.037°E; summit elev. 1807 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


Based on observations of satellite imagery and information from RVO, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-12 May low-level plumes from Manam rose to an altitude 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

Geological Summary. The 10-km-wide island of Manam, lying 13 km off the northern coast of mainland Papua New Guinea, is one of the country's most active volcanoes. Four large radial valleys extend from the unvegetated summit of the conical basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano to its lower flanks. These valleys channel lava flows and pyroclastic avalanches that have sometimes reached the coast. Five small satellitic centers are located near the island's shoreline on the northern, southern, and western sides. Two summit craters are present; both are active, although most observed eruptions have originated from the southern crater, concentrating eruptive products during much of the past century into the SE valley. Frequent eruptions, typically of mild-to-moderate scale, have been recorded since 1616. Occasional larger eruptions have produced pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached flat-lying coastal areas and entered the sea, sometimes impacting populated areas.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)