Report on Langila (Papua New Guinea) — June 1983
Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin, vol. 8, no. 6 (June 1983)
Managing Editor: Lindsay McClelland.
Langila (Papua New Guinea) More frequent Vulcanian explosions
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 1983. Report on Langila (Papua New Guinea) (McClelland, L., ed.). Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin, 8:6. Smithsonian Institution. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.SEAN198306-252010
Langila
Papua New Guinea
5.525°S, 148.42°E; summit elev. 1330 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
"Activity increased somewhat in June as Vulcanian explosions became more frequent. Ash emissions from Crater 2 were observed on most days and Vulcanian explosions usually occurred at rates of 0-5 per day. However, two periods of more intense activity took place; 4-17 June, and starting 26 June and continuing at month's end.
"In the first period of stronger activity, rates of recorded Vulcanian explosions reached about 30 per day on 7 June, and about 15 per day on 8 and 10-14 June. Weak red glow from Crater 2 was seen on the nights of 10 and 11 June. Light ashfalls were reported from about 10 km W of the crater.
"In the second period of stronger activity, from 26 June onwards, ash emissions from Crater 2 became more frequent, and sounds of detonations and rumbling more noticeable. Ejection of incandescent tephra was seen the night of 26 June, and continuous glow was observed early on the morning of the 27th. In the last few days of the month the volcano was obscured by the ash emissions from Crater 2. Ashfalls of several mm were reported at locations 10 km N and W of the volcano.
"Crater 3 continued to show a low level of activity, usually releasing tenuous white vapours. However, thick dark brown ash clouds were emitted on 6 June, and pale grey emissions were reported on 12 June. Volcano seismicity at Langila was dominated by the earthquakes produced by Vulcanian explosions."
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.
