"A low level of activity prevailed at Main and Southern craters in February. Both craters exhibited continuous gentle white vapour emissions. No sounds were reported. Low-intensity night glow from Southern Crater was reported on 10 February. Seismic activity showed a slight increase to moderate levels during the first week of the month, then remained steady throughout February. Tilt measurements during the first half of the month showed no changes. Deflation of -1.5 µrad (radial) was observed 16-19 February. No tilt changes were observed after the 19th."

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: B. Talai and C. McKee, RVO.