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Report on Manam (Papua New Guinea) — 11 August-17 August 2010


Manam

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 11 August-17 August 2010
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2010. Report on Manam (Papua New Guinea) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 11 August-17 August 2010. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (11 August-17 August 2010)

Manam

Papua New Guinea

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


RVO reported that incandescence from Manam's South Crater was visible at 4-5 minute intervals on 10 August. The next day diffuse black ash plumes rose a few hundred meters above the rim. Steady incandescence was accompanied by periodic ejections of lava fragments ejected 400-500 m above the rim. Main Crater emitted diffuse white vapor. Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 14 August ash plumes rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 55 km NW.

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.

Sources: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)