During July, Crater 2 continued to release weak-to-moderate white vapor with occasional pale-gray ash. During 13-15 and 29 July the pale gray ash emissions changed to dark gray ash clouds that rose 2,000-2,500 m above the summit. Low roaring noises were heard 4-6, 8-9, and 16 July. No activity was reported from Crater 3 during July, and no glow was observed at either crater throughout the month.

During August both Crater 2 and 3 released low-to-moderate volumes of white vapor. There were also small amounts of blue vapor seen at Crater 2. One loud roaring and rumbling sound was heard at Crater 2 on 28 July accompanied by the emission of a dark-gray ash-laden cloud rising 1,000-2,000 m above the summit. This cloud was blown to the NW. The seismograph remained inoperative throughout July and August.

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: Ben Talai, RVO.