| Country | Papua New Guinea |
| Volcanic Region | Bismarck Sea Volcanic Province |
| Landform | Volc Type | Cluster | Fissure vent |
| Last Known Eruption | 1972 CE |
| Coordinates | 3.03°S, 147.78°E |
| Elevation | -1,300 m (-4,265 ft) |
| Volcano Number | 250030 |
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The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that the eruption at Titan Ridge was at very low levels during 15 June-3 July. No seismic activity had been detected for more than a month and the number of hydroacoustic signals per day was less than 10. A minor plume of discolored water persisted and drifted S and SW. On 2 July one discrete steam puff rose from the eruption site and drifted a few kilometers NE. The significant pumice rafts affecting the Admiralty Islands to the N have broken up and dispersed, though pumice is still present on some beaches. Small and/or thin patches of floating pumice remain present in some sheltered areas.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Titan Ridge.
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The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that the eruption at Titan Ridge was at very low levels during 15 June-3 July. No seismic activity had been detected for more than a month and the number of hydroacoustic signals per day was less than 10. A minor plume of discolored water persisted and drifted S and SW. On 2 July one discrete steam puff rose from the eruption site and drifted a few kilometers NE. The significant pumice rafts affecting the Admiralty Islands to the N have broken up and dispersed, though pumice is still present on some beaches. Small and/or thin patches of floating pumice remain present in some sheltered areas.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
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On 27 June the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), Papua New Guinea, reported that communities on Manus and surrounding islands continued to be impacted by pumice rafts from Titan Ridge. Working with the National Disaster Centre, Manus Provincial Administration, and local authorities, IMO found that more than 10,000 residents dependent on fishing across seven local governments were affected. They also noted impacts to other coastal-based livelihoods, food security, sea-based transportation, and access to markets and essential services, along with a need for scientific assessments. A person located on Manus Island posted photographs taken on 28 June showing pumice rafts in a bay and waterway, noting that although ocean currents had begun to clear the pumice, blockages continued.
Sources: UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), Papua New Guinea; Darcklin Tapo Belden
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Satellite images at Titan Ridge were mostly cloudy over the vent and surrounding areas on 19 and 24 June, though plumes of light-green discolored water were visible drifting around 75 km W and around 100 km SW, respectively.
Source: Copernicus
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The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that the eruption at Titan Ridge continued during 4-9 June, though at a low level. The number of hydroacoustic signals per day decreased to the lowest levels detected since the eruption began. A small wispy steam plume was occasionally visible. A long plume of discolored water persisted; a 15 June satellite image showed a narrow plume of discolored water extending more than 100 km W of the eruption site. The activity produced a small amount of floating pumice and minor thermal anomalies. Significant amounts of floating pumice, forming thick and extensive rafts, continued to wash up on the shores of the Admiralty Islands.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
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The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that the eruption at Titan Ridge continued during 4-9 June. The number of hydroacoustic signals per day decreased during 4-8 June, followed by a minor increase on 9 June. A narrow but dense steam plume drifted about 50 km NW at low altitudes due to strong winds. A possible small intermittent plume may have risen from an area just to the SW of the main plume. Despite a reduction in the number of daily acoustic events, thermal anomalies around the plume area had intensified. Significant amounts of floating pumice, forming thick and extensive rafts, continued to wash up on the shores of the Admiralty Islands. According to a news article pumice rafts impacted the S coastline of Manus Island and made boat access difficult or impossible. An observer reported that one of the pumice rafts was about 3 km wide, 5 km long, and around 5 m deep. The rafts covered reefs and grasses, and caused the deaths of fish.
Sources: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO); Radio New Zealand
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The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that the eruption at Titan Ridge continued during 28 May-4 June. After a decrease in activity over a couple of days the number of hydroacoustic signals significantly increased during 28-29 May, signifying the resumption of semi-continuous activity. Weather clouds prevented satellite observations of the vent areas. Activity was ongoing during 29 May-2 June based on satellite views and hydroacoustic data. By 1 June a steam plume was rising from part of the NE vent area and drifting E and SE; there were no plumes rising from the vent area to the SW. A shallow plume of discolored water drifted as far as 8 km SE from the NE vent. Hot pumice associated with the plume of discolored water was seen floating within a few hundred meters of the vent area; resultant thermal anomalies were hotter than those previously detected. Pumice rafts from previous days were scattered around the Bismarck Sea. During 2-4 June the eruption plume rose as high as 5 km a.s.l. The steam-and-gas plume as well as a plume of discolored sea water drifted NW, N, E, and SE. The number of daily hydroacoustic signals declined on 3 June. Significant amounts of floating pumice, thick and extensive rafts, washed up on the shores of the Admiralty Islands.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
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The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that the eruption at Titan Ridge, previously identified as the Central Bismarck Sea volcano, decreased during 21-28 May. Hydroacoustic data indicated that the eruption was ongoing, though the number of events had declined. Steam plumes were visible in satellite images rising from the two vents and drifting W and NW during 21-25 May, though they were less vigorous. Pumice continued to rise to the surface, though the pumice rafts were smaller. Minor amounts of ash in the plumes indicated that pumice pieces were degassing at the surface. A M 5.7 earthquake occurred just N of the eruption site at 2008 on 22 May; it was the first recorded since 17 May and did not appear to have changed the eruption characteristics. Thermal anomalies around the base of the plumes were identified in Middle Infrared Observations of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) hot-spot detection system during 22-24 May. The plumes had significantly decreased during 25-28 May and were characterized as a narrow, wispy fume drifting a few kilometers NW when visible among weather clouds. Some pumice was still being generated and formed rafts that spread SW, W, and NW, but they were much smaller. A small thermal anomaly was identified on 27 May. RVO warned ships to avoid the pumice rafts.
Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
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The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that the eruption in the Central Bismarck Sea that began at around 0115 on 8 May (based on regional infrasound data) continued during 13-20 May. During 13-14 May, plumes of steam and gas of variable densities and vigor rose from the eruption site and drifted to the W and NW; plumes of discolored water drifted from the site as well. By 15 May steam-and-gas plumes were identified in satellite imagery originating from two separate vent areas approximately 2.5 km apart; the eastern area was about 1.5 km in diameter, and the western area was about 500 m in diameter. A M 5.4 earthquake was recorded at around 1113 on 15 May. During 15-16 May, pumice rafts identified in satellite images were producing thermal anomalies at up to 2 km from the source, suggesting that the rafts were initially thick. A 5-km-long area of thermal anomalies seen on 16 May, trending roughly WSW-ENE, was visible along the base of plumes; part of the thermal signature may have been from initially hot floating pumice. Small signatures indicating possible ash were detected on 16 May, though they were likely due to pumice pieces rapidly decompressing and disintegrating at the surface. Weather clouds obscured satellite views during parts of 15-17 May, making interpretations of the activity challenging, though data confirmed that the eruption remained submarine over this interval. During 18-20 May the steam plumes were more diffuse during previous days and drifted W and NW. Weak winds contributed to the plume rising to 5.5 km above the ocean’s surface. Plumes of discolored water drifted W, SW, and NW. According to a news article local fisherman observed and photographed the steam plumes, noting that there were dead fish nearby, and observing that “[the eruption] sounds like thunder and the sea smells like metal burning."
Sources: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO); Radio New Zealand
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A new eruption began on 8 May in the Central Bismarck Sea, in an area about 82 km S of Rambutyo Island and 125 km SE of Manus Island, around 16 km SE of the approximated location of a submarine eruption detected by instruments in 1972. According to the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), seismic events recorded on 31 March and 25 April were followed by a swarm with six events on 8 May, likely indicating the start of the eruption. Gas-and-steam plumes that sometimes appeared voluminous were visible in satellite data during 9-12 May rising as high as 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting W and NW. Plumes of discolored water were also observed drifting away from the origin point of the steam plumes. Infrared Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data triggered a small cluster of MODVOLC thermal alerts during 9-12 May. According to RVO, steam plumes were less vigorous during 13-14 May and drifted W and NW. Thermal anomalies (last detected on 12 May) and photos taken from a local fishing boat hinted at the formation of a shallow volcanic reef, though it was unconfirmed.
Sources: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO); Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC); Sentinel Hub; NASA MODIS Rapid Response System; Dr. Philipp A. Brandl, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Titan Ridge.
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There is data available for 1 confirmed eruptive period.
1972 Jan 8 - 1972 Jan 12 Confirmed Eruption (Submarine) VEI: 0
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Submarine) | ||||||||||||||
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| 1972 Jan 8 - 1972 Jan 12 | Evidence from Observations: Hydrophonic | |||||||||||||
| Seismic activity recorded by SOFAR stations on 8, 9, and 12 January 1972 were similar to signals produced at known submarine volcanoes (Johnson et al., 1981). | ||||||||||||||
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List of 1 Events for Episode 1
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This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.
Synonyms |
| Central Bismarck Sea |
The Global Volcanism Program has no photographs available for Titan Ridge.
There are no samples for Titan Ridge in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.
| Copernicus Browser | The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions. |
| MIROVA | Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity. |
| MODVOLC Thermal Alerts | Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales. |
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WOVOdat
Single Volcano View Temporal Evolution of Unrest Side by Side Volcanoes |
WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.
GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments. |
| Volcanic Hazard Maps | The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter. |
| EarthScope Consortium SAGE seismic stations/networks | EarthScope Consortium operates the NSF Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (GAGE) and NSF Seismological Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (SAGE). The linked map shows the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Titan Ridge. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice. |
| Large Eruptions of Titan Ridge | Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA). |
| EarthChem | EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS). |
