"Activity was at a moderate-low level in January. Crater 2 emitted white to grey ash and vapour clouds at moderate to low rates. However, on 21 January, dark ash-laden clouds rose several hundred meters above the crater rim and resulted in light ashfalls on the SE side of the volcano. Deep loud or low rumbling and explosion noises accompanying the emissions were heard throughout the month. Steady, weak red glow from this crater was observed at night on 9, 19, 24, 27-28, and 31 January. Crater 3 activity consisted mostly of emissions of weak white vapour. No noises were heard, although weak night glow was seen on 9 and 28 January around the crater rim. Seismic activity was at a low level throughout the month. Daily totals of volcanic earthquakes (all at low frequency) ranged from 0 to 16 . . . ."

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, P. de Saint-Ours, and B. Talai, RVO.