"The level of activity in October was similar to that observed in September. Grey and brown ash emissions from Crater 2 were seen on about 50% of days; otherwise, white vapours were emitted. Ashfalls in areas about 10 km from the volcano were reported on 4, 5, and 6 October. Vulcanian explosions were observed on 7 and 30 October. On the 7th a dark brown eruption column rose to about 3.5 km, and incandescent ejecta started fires in vegetation at the foot of the volcano. The explosion on the 30th was much smaller, the ash column rising only a few hundred meters. Crater 2 was more active from the 22nd. Crater glow was seen on 22, 24, and 25 October, and weak to strong rumbling sounds from the crater were heard on 22, 23, 24, 26, and 29 October.

"Crater 3 continued its low level of activity, releasing white and blue vapours in small volumes. Seismic activity remained at a low level. A few Vulcanian explosion earthquakes 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.