"The eruption continued at the same intensity in August. Emissions from the active vent in Crater 3 were mostly white and blue, but during a more active phase at mid-month grey emissions were observed. Lava fragment ejections and glows were observed on four consecutive nights 14-17 August. Rumbling and explosion sounds were heard on most days during the month. Crater 2 usually emitted white vapor, but on four occasions in the first half of August, brown emissions were observed. Glow at Crater 2 was observed on 4 August. The level and character of seismic activity was unchanged."

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.