"The phase of stronger extrusive activity continued into March, and was detected both seismically and visually. There were occasional reports of moderate to strong white to dark brown emissions from the summit, which displayed a weak glow whenever visible at night.

"The seismicity, which increased sharply in mid-February, declined slightly during the first week of March, but rose again steadily to a peak of 145 B-type events/day on the 12th before gradually declining to ~20 events/day at month's end."

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. Lowenstein, RVO.