"Further intensification of the eruption at Crater 2 took place in July. Increased activity was noticeable from 19 July when the frequency of Vulcanian explosions increased from about 2 to 10 per day. These explosions were stronger, as indicated by ashfalls as far as 10 km downwind, louder detonations, and rumbling. Incandescent lava fragments were ejected on the night of 19 July. A further increase in activity was apparent from 22 July when daily totals of Vulcanian explosions climbed to about 30 and periods of continuous harmonic tremor 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.