"Ground deformation data obtained in July suggest continuing deflation of the summit area. Deflationary tilt changes of 35-75 µrad are indicated for the period November 1986-July 1989 by a group of stations at Karkar's summit. Data from the levelling line on the floor of the inner caldera indicate subsidence of the central part of the caldera floor relative to the E edge at a rate of ~5 mm/year since 1984.

"Eleven EDM lines were measured on the inner caldera network in July. Comparing these distances with November 1987 values, only four lines showed significant change (>20 ppm). All measurements from E Rim station are shorter than the 1987 values, indicating movement of this station toward the centre of the caldera (average movement ~40 mm NW). S rim station appears also to have moved inwards (by ~44 mm). These changes may be consistent with the subsidence and deflation indicated by levelling and dry tilt measurements."

Geological Summary. Karkar is a 19 x 25 km forest-covered island that is truncated by two nested summit calderas. The 5.5 km outer caldera was formed during one or more eruptions, the last of which occurred 9,000 years ago. The steep-walled 300-m-deep, 3.2 km diameter, inner caldera was formed sometime between 1,500 and 800 years ago. Cones are present on the N and S flanks of this basaltic-to-andesitic volcano; a linear array of small cones extends from the northern rim of the outer caldera nearly to the coast. Recorded eruptions date back to 1643 from Bagiai, a pyroclastic cone constructed within the inner caldera, the floor of which is covered by young, mostly unvegetated andesitic lava flows.

Information Contacts: I. Itikarai and C. McKee, RVO.