"A resurgence of activity was evident in August as Vulcanian explosions from Crater 2 became more common. Explosive eruptions occurred on 5, 12, 14, 15, 17, 24, and 31 August, and light ashfalls were experienced at the observatory post 10 km to the N after most of these eruptions. The cloud from the largest explosion, on 15 August, reached a height of about 6 km. Crater 3 continued to show little or no activity. Seismic activity generally remained low, although earthquakes associated with the Vulcanian explosions were recorded."

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.