"The predominately effusive eruption continued. When last observed (21 July), the viscous blocky lava flow on the NW flank had reached an altitude of 1,000 m and had an estimated volume of 1.3 x 10⁶ m³. A moderate plume of dense, white, SO₂-rich gases continued to be emitted from the summit crater. Seismicity from the volcano was at a low level, with only a few B-type and explosion earthquakes per day."

Geological Summary. Bagana volcano, in a remote portion of central Bougainville Island, is frequently active. This massive symmetrical cone was largely constructed by an accumulation of viscous andesitic lava flows. The entire edifice could have been constructed in about 300 years at its present rate of lava production. Eruptive activity is characterized by non-explosive effusion of viscous lava that maintains a small lava dome in the summit crater, although occasional explosive activity produces pyroclastic flows. Lava flows with tongue-shaped lobes up to 50 m thick and prominent levees descend the flanks on all sides.

Information Contacts: P. de Saint-Ours, RVO.