"South Crater released occasional gentle emissions of thin-to-thick white vapour during most of the month, but from 28-31 March the amount of vapour emissions decreased. Thin wispy blue vapour emissions were observed on the 31st. Weak steady glow was observed occasionally (on 3, 22-24, and 26-28 March). There were no audible sounds produced. Main Crater also released occasional gentle, thin-to-thick white vapour emissions. There were no night glows and no audible sounds. Seismicity fluctuated but was at a low level during most of the month. A decline in seismic activity occurred on 26 March and persisted for the remainder of 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: B. Talai, RVO.