"An increase in activity at Crater 3, which had been inactive since April 1983, began towards the end of June and continued during July. The increased activity was characterized by emission of white, grey, and brown vapour and ash clouds with occasional blue vapour. Explosion earthquakes were recorded on most days with daily totals ranging from 0 to 14 events. They were often accompanied by tremor lasting 1-10 minutes and the rise of Vulcanian ash clouds over the crater. Ashfalls were reported in areas N and NW of the volcano. Occasional deep rumbling noises were heard after the 8th. A weak glow was seen on 16-18, 24, and 31 July.

"Crater 2 released white, grey and occasional blue emissions. Steady night glow was seen throughout the month without any other sign of eruptive activity."

Geological Summary. Langila, one of the most active volcanoes of New Britain, consists of a group of four small overlapping composite basaltic-andesitic cones on the lower E flank of the extinct Talawe volcano in the Cape Gloucester area of NW New Britain. A rectangular, 2.5-km-long crater is breached widely to the SE; Langila was constructed NE of the breached crater of Talawe. An extensive lava field reaches the coast on the N and NE sides of Langila. Frequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded since the 19th century from three active craters at the summit. The youngest and smallest crater (no. 3 crater) was formed in 1960 and has a diameter of 150 m.

Information Contacts: H. Patia and C. McKee, RVO.