Large explosive eruption seen at Manam volcano northeast of New Guinea

A large eruption occurred on January 12, 2013 at Manam volcano northeast of New Guinea. VAAC Darwin reported an ash plume rising up to 14 km (approx. 45,000 ft) altitude. A hot spot is visible on MODIS satellite data.

Manam’s volcanic ash advisory graphics (Credit: VAAC Darwin) Recent OMI satellite data shows a modest SO2 anomaly over the volcano (Credit: NOAA/OMI)

 

During December 8-14, 2012 diffuse and dense ash plumes rose 400 m above Manam’s Southern Crater and drifted NW after strombolian explosions. Small lava flows on upper flank from two vents.  Most of  the island population had been relocated after the last major activity in 2004. 5 people were killed, mostly due to inhaling ash, and 9600 people were evacuated. The ash damaged crops, water supplies, and houses.

Manam volcano (Credit: Wally Johnson /Australia Bureau of Mineral Resources)

 

Papua New Guinea’s Manam Volcano sits in the southwest segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire where the Pacific Plate sinks beneath the Indo-Australian Plate. One of the region’s most active volcanoes, Manam forms a tiny 10-kilometer wide island that rises from the Bismarck Sea 13 kilometers off the shore of Papua New Guinea. The volcano has erupted frequently since its first recorded eruption in 1616.

 

Featured image credit: Wally Johnson /Australia Bureau of Mineral Resources

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