"Vulcanian explosions continued in July from the active vent at Crater 3, and crater glow was seen on several nights. Eruption clouds were usually brown/grey, but otherwise emissions were white and rarely blue. Emissions from Crater 2 were usually white, but possible ash contents in the emissions were reported on several days. Weak glow from Crater 2 was reportedly observed on one occasion. The level of seismic activity remained steady, and consisted of moderate-amplitude volcanic earthquakes, probably of explosion origin."

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: C. McKee, RVO.