"Activity remained at a very low level. The deflationary trend recorded since April by the Tabele Observatory water tube tiltmeter stabilized after mid-May, and seismicity was at a low though irregular level in both amplitude and number of earthquakes. From 3 to 10 June, Main Crater intermittently released ash-laden clouds, accompanied by discrete B-type earthquakes. Deep rumbling sounds were heard on 3 and 4 June. In the second half of the month only wisps of white vapour were released by this crater. Activity at Southern Crater was limited to weak emissions of white vapour throughout the month."

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.

Information Contacts: P. de Saint-Ours and C. McKee, RVO.