(VD) – Just 2 days after the large eruption of Ulawun, another large explosive eruption occurred in Papua New Guinea today, this time from Manam volcano located on a small island north of the mainland.  Earlier today, the more or less permanently active volcano had another of its not usual, short-lived, but the very intense paroxysmal episode with lava fountaining occurred today, starting around 13:00 local time. An ash plume that rose to 50,000 ft (15 km) altitude. A few hours later, the ash plume became separated from the volcano and was observed drifting SW.

VAAC Darwin issued a warning and mentioned that it was expecting the plume to dissipate within 12 hours above an area over the southern part of or south of Papua New Guinea (see attached graphics), i.e. around the time of this report. Such paroxysm has occurred at the volcano relatively frequently, at intervals of few months during the past years, last on 14 May and 24 January 2019. In most cases, lava flows as well as pyroclastic flows have occurred. No reports about significant damage have been received. Local reports indicate heavy ash fall blocking out the sunlight. READ MORE