During January and February both summit craters emitted white vapors at low to moderate rates. While activity at Manam was very subdued in February, S Crater released blue emissions on two days (11-12 February) and weak booming noises were heard during the month. Neither ash emissions nor increased white vapor emissions were noted at the time of the sound effects.

No seismic monitoring took place at Manam during February. Tilt measurements from the water-tube tilt meters at Tabele Observatory (4 km from the summit) indicated little or no tilt for 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: RVO.