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Long Island

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 5.358°S
  • 147.12°E

  • 1280 m
    4199 ft

  • 251050
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Bulletin Report: December 1993 (BGVN 18:12) Citation IconCite this Report

Eruption ends; details of activity given

"The eruption that began under the caldera lake (figure 1) in early November was effectively over by early December. By late November there was no longer any seismic evidence of eruptive activity. However, mild hydrothermal activity was continuing as indicated by the occasional appearance of patches of discoloured water at the lake surface. The temporary observation post on the NE rim of the caldera was closed on 3 December. There have been no more reports from Long Island, so it is presumed that the eruption is over."

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Map of Long Island showing the caldera lake (Lake Wisdom), Motmot Island, and the November 1993 eruption site. Courtesy of RVO.

The following report from RVO provides additional details of the visit . . . on 11 November (BGVN 18:11).

"A temperature survey around Motmot (a cone in the S part of the caldera) revealed that temperatures were much lower than normal; the highest reading was ~45°C. Previously, temperatures at springs and in the beach sand around Motmot were up to ~90°C. It was not possible to carry out a complete temperature survey because of erosion and landslides on the flanks of Motmot and a rise in lake surface level. A GPS survey was also conducted on Motmot, with the survey marks used as photogrammetric targets for the purpose of producing a map of Motmot.

"During an aerial inspection of the caldera lake the source of the eruption was identified. Near the centre of the lake was a fresh sub-circular patch of grey-brown water. The central part of the patch of discoloured water was being frequently disturbed by underwater explosions, and there were several sites of non-explosive upwelling fluids and fine solid particles. The frequent underwater explosions were producing visible shock waves, seen as flashes of white light. The larger explosions broke the lake surface and ejected sprays of water and ash a few tens of metres above the lake surface. The active vents, oriented along an E-W linear vent system that may have been ~500 m long, were located at water depths of 300-350 m.

"A temporary observation post equipped with a portable seismograph was established at the NE rim of the caldera, about 200 m above the lake level, on 13 November. Activity similar to that observed and recorded on 11 November continued until the 16th and then began to decline. After 17 November the explosions were not strong enough to break the surface of the lake, and generated only upwelling cells of fluids and fine solid particles. Audible explosive activity was not detected after 21 November. At the end of November the seismicity was so weak that it could not confidently be distinguished from normal background microseismicity. However, mild underwater activity was continuing as plumes of discoloured water continued to be formed spasmodically. Sometimes the lake had a uniform (normal) blue-green colour.

"The time of commencement of the eruption is not precisely known. However, direct visual observations of water and ash ejections above the lake surface, from a new site remote from Motmot, were made by a local government official on 5 November. These details did not reach the Rabaul Volcano Observatory until 24 November. Another indication of the time of onset of the eruption comes from the seismic records generated at the permanent seismic station at Karkar Island, ~160 km NW of Long Island. Unusual strong, continuous, harmonic tremor, attributed to the eruption at Long Island, began to be recorded at about 1100 on 3 November. It is likely that the sound effects of the underwater explosions alerted the local government official at Long Island to hike in from the coast to the caldera rim to investigate on 5 November.

"The previous eruptive activity at Long Island in the period 1973-75 was centered at Motmot. Short bursts of Strombolian activity erected a number of small spatter and cinder cones, and produced a small lava flow. Temperature surveys indicated minor changes in the plumbing system of springs around Motmot until the mid-1980's. A progressive weakening of thermal activity around Motmot was recorded from late 1985."

Information Contacts: C. McKee and R. Stewart, RVO.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Long Island.

Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

05/1973 (CSLP 58-73) Small eruption within the crater lake on 18 April

01/1979 (SEAN 04:01) New fumarolic activity

02/1979 (SEAN 04:02) Fumarolic activity, but no eruption

09/1990 (BGVN 15:09) Low-level activity at thermal areas

11/1993 (BGVN 18:11) Eruption in early November, first since 1976

12/1993 (BGVN 18:12) Eruption ends; details of activity given




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


May 1973 (CSLP 58-73)

Small eruption within the crater lake on 18 April

Card 1626 (08 May 1973) Small eruption within the crater lake on 18 April

The Central Volcanological Observatory reported the following . . . by cable. "A small eruption has occurred on Long Island. The first reports received on 1 May indicate that the eruption started on 18 April. An aerial inspection was made on 2 May and there appears to be no immediate danger to the 700 inhabitants. The eruption center is a small island in the caldera lake ejecting steam and ash at 5-50 second intervals 100-150 m high. Investigations are continuing."

Information Contacts: R.A. Davies, Central Volcanological Observatory, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea.


January 1979 (SEAN 04:01) Citation IconCite this Report

New fumarolic activity

"A report was received on 26 January of a supposed eruption of Motmot cone about mid-January. A flypast by a volcanologist on 15 January had revealed nothing unusual. However, aerial inspections on 29 January indicated considerable new vapour emission, including one powerful fumarole that was jetting white vapour and possibly water at the W shoreline of Motmot Island (350 m in diameter). Vapour from this jet obscured details nearby, but no clear evidence of recent eruptive activity was noted. No new craters or cones were present, and no new ejecta could be recognised on the island. Pending further information, it is assumed that only vapour activity has occurred so far."

Information Contacts: R. Cooke, RVO.


February 1979 (SEAN 04:02) Citation IconCite this Report

Fumarolic activity, but no eruption

"An aerial inspection of Long Island on 23 February confirmed that no eruption had taken place in January. Only small volumes of vapour were seen emanating from the summit craters and from a fumarole at the W shoreline. This fumarole is in a different position from the powerful one seen on 29 January."

Information Contacts: C. McKee, RVO.


September 1990 (BGVN 15:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Low-level activity at thermal areas

"An aerial inspection on 3 September indicated that thermal areas on Motmot . . . remained at a low level of activity. Vegetation was spreading in some areas, notably in the crater of the 1974 cone, and no fresh sulphur deposits were seen.

Information Contacts: I. Itikarai and C. McKee, RVO.


November 1993 (BGVN 18:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Eruption in early November, first since 1976

"A new eruption began . . . in early November. The first report was received on 8 November but contained few details of activity. A team from RVO overflew Long Island on 9 November and found that almost the entire body of water in the caldera lake (Lake Wisdom) had changed colour, from blue-green to orange-brown, but there was no visible eruptive activity. The source of the discoloured water could not be discerned, although it appeared to be remote from the Motmot cone in the S part of the caldera, the site of the most recent eruptions (mid-1970's). There was no sign of a recent eruption at Motmot itself.

"Volcanologists returned . . . on 11 November to carry out ground-based investigations at Motmot. While setting up a seismograph, frequent earthquakes were felt, and muffled thudding noises were heard. The noises were more noticeable on the N to NE side of Motmot, suggesting that the source of the activity might be offshore in that direction. The seismogram consisted of continuous harmonic and irregular tremor with variable amplitude corresponding with the sound effects."

Information Contacts: I. Itikarai, and C. McKee, RVO.


December 1993 (BGVN 18:12) Citation IconCite this Report

Eruption ends; details of activity given

"The eruption that began under the caldera lake (figure 1) in early November was effectively over by early December. By late November there was no longer any seismic evidence of eruptive activity. However, mild hydrothermal activity was continuing as indicated by the occasional appearance of patches of discoloured water at the lake surface. The temporary observation post on the NE rim of the caldera was closed on 3 December. There have been no more reports from Long Island, so it is presumed that the eruption is over."

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Map of Long Island showing the caldera lake (Lake Wisdom), Motmot Island, and the November 1993 eruption site. Courtesy of RVO.

The following report from RVO provides additional details of the visit . . . on 11 November (BGVN 18:11).

"A temperature survey around Motmot (a cone in the S part of the caldera) revealed that temperatures were much lower than normal; the highest reading was ~45°C. Previously, temperatures at springs and in the beach sand around Motmot were up to ~90°C. It was not possible to carry out a complete temperature survey because of erosion and landslides on the flanks of Motmot and a rise in lake surface level. A GPS survey was also conducted on Motmot, with the survey marks used as photogrammetric targets for the purpose of producing a map of Motmot.

"During an aerial inspection of the caldera lake the source of the eruption was identified. Near the centre of the lake was a fresh sub-circular patch of grey-brown water. The central part of the patch of discoloured water was being frequently disturbed by underwater explosions, and there were several sites of non-explosive upwelling fluids and fine solid particles. The frequent underwater explosions were producing visible shock waves, seen as flashes of white light. The larger explosions broke the lake surface and ejected sprays of water and ash a few tens of metres above the lake surface. The active vents, oriented along an E-W linear vent system that may have been ~500 m long, were located at water depths of 300-350 m.

"A temporary observation post equipped with a portable seismograph was established at the NE rim of the caldera, about 200 m above the lake level, on 13 November. Activity similar to that observed and recorded on 11 November continued until the 16th and then began to decline. After 17 November the explosions were not strong enough to break the surface of the lake, and generated only upwelling cells of fluids and fine solid particles. Audible explosive activity was not detected after 21 November. At the end of November the seismicity was so weak that it could not confidently be distinguished from normal background microseismicity. However, mild underwater activity was continuing as plumes of discoloured water continued to be formed spasmodically. Sometimes the lake had a uniform (normal) blue-green colour.

"The time of commencement of the eruption is not precisely known. However, direct visual observations of water and ash ejections above the lake surface, from a new site remote from Motmot, were made by a local government official on 5 November. These details did not reach the Rabaul Volcano Observatory until 24 November. Another indication of the time of onset of the eruption comes from the seismic records generated at the permanent seismic station at Karkar Island, ~160 km NW of Long Island. Unusual strong, continuous, harmonic tremor, attributed to the eruption at Long Island, began to be recorded at about 1100 on 3 November. It is likely that the sound effects of the underwater explosions alerted the local government official at Long Island to hike in from the coast to the caldera rim to investigate on 5 November.

"The previous eruptive activity at Long Island in the period 1973-75 was centered at Motmot. Short bursts of Strombolian activity erected a number of small spatter and cinder cones, and produced a small lava flow. Temperature surveys indicated minor changes in the plumbing system of springs around Motmot until the mid-1980's. A progressive weakening of thermal activity around Motmot was recorded from late 1985."

Information Contacts: C. McKee and R. Stewart, RVO.

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.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 11 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1993 Nov 3 (?) - 1993 Nov 25 ± 5 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode E-W fissure NNE of Motmot Island
1993 Nov 3 (?) - 1993 Nov 25 ± 5 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at E-W fissure NNE of Motmot Island

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor)
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1993 Nov 3
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1976 Jan 2 ± 120 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Motmot
1976 Jan 2 ± 120 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Motmot

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
1976 Jan 2 ± 120 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1973 Apr 16 ± 15 days - 1974 Feb 28 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Motmot
1973 Apr 16 ± 15 days - 1974 Feb 28 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 7 Events for Episode 1 at Motmot

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor)
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1973 Apr    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1968 Mar 16 - 1968 Jun 12 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Motmot
1968 Mar 16 - 1968 Jun 12 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 7 Events for Episode 1 at Motmot

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
1968 Mar 16    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1961 Jul 2 ± 182 days ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Motmot
1961 Jul 2 ± 182 days - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Motmot

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Fumarolic or Solfataric

1955 Jun 5 - 1955 Jun 13 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Motmot
1955 Jun 5 - 1955 Jun 13 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Motmot

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Ash Incandescent
1955 Jun 5    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1953 May 8 - 1954 Jan 7 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Motmot
1953 May 8 - 1954 Jan 7 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at Motmot

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Mud
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquake (tectonic) Before eruption.
   - - - -    - - - - Evacuations
1953 May 8    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1943 Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Motmot
1943 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Motmot

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs

1938 Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Lake Wisdom
1938 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

1933 Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Lake Wisdom
1933 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

1660 ± 20 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 6

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1660 ± 20 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)
 A catastrophic eruption from Long Island deposited tephra across the New Guinea highlands, prompting legends of a "Time of Darkness." Some 14C dates suggest this eruption took place between 1640 and 1680 CE. Large pyroclastic flows from this eruption are thought to be associated with a third phase of caldera collapse at Long Island (Pain et al., 1981).

List of 10 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice violent, strong, or large
   - - - -    - - - - Caldera Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
   - - - -    - - - - Evacuations
1660
(?)
   - - - - Fatalities
1660 ± 20 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 6

2040 BCE ± 110 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 6

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
2040 BCE ± 110 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)
 A major tephra eruption and ignimbrite (Bilau beds) 14C dated at 3,990 ± 110 years BP, is thought to be associated with the second episode of caldera collapse at Long Island (Pain et al., 1981).

List of 7 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion extremely violent or catastrophic
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Caldera Explosion
2040 BCE ± 110 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 6
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Long Island.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Long Island.

Photo Gallery

Phreatic explosions from Motmot Island in Lake Wisdom, on Long Island, during a 1953-54 eruption. The Surtseyan explosion produced a jet of steam and ash seen rising above the lake, and a base surge traveling radially away from the vent across the surface. The western wall of the 10 x 12.5 km Long Island caldera is 200-300 m high in the distance. Twentieth century eruptions at Long Island have originated from vents at or near Motmot Island.

Photo by John Best (courtesy of Wally Johnson, Australia Bureau of Mineral Resources).
An ash plume rises above Motmot Island within the Lake Wisdom caldera of Long Island in 1953. Explosions that ejected ash and lapilli began on 8 May. Intermittent explosive activity continued until 7 January 1954.

Photo by John Best, 1953 (courtesy of Wally Johnson, Australia Bureau of Mineral Resources).
The broad profile of Long Island, seen here from the E, is composed of two steep-sided edifices, Mount Reaumur to the north (center) and Cerisy Peak to the south. Collapse of the volcanic complex during at least three major explosive eruptions about 16,000, 4,000, and 300 years ago produced a large 10 x 12.5 km caldera, whose low rim appears at the right.

Photo by Russel Blong, 1976 (Macquarie University).
An outcrop on the W coast of Long Island reveals deposits from the last caldera-forming eruption. This catastrophic eruption in the mid-17th century deposited ash across the New Guinea highlands and prompted legends of a "Time of Darkness." This outcrop shows pyroclastic surge and Plinian airfall deposits of the Matapun formation, which is exposed at the top of the section beginning about 4 m above the geologists.

Photo by Russell Blong, 1975 (Macquarie University).
GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Long Island in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites