By ELIZABETH VUVU
THE Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) is preparing to send two of its seismologists to monitor the increased activity at the Bagiai cone on Karkar Island in Madang.
RVO’s acting assistant director Herman Patia said after a visual observation by a technical team from RVO during the Christmas and New Year period, it was indicated that the Bagiai cone situated in the inner caldera continued to release thin to moderate white vapour.
The white vapour was also visible from the mainland.
Communities in the vicinity have also been hearing occasional roaring noises associated with gas emission.
He said three portable seismic recorders deployed on the northwest, southwest and east of the island for three days at distances of 6km, 8km and 9km respectively indicated increase in thermal activity.
Results also indicated a total of 30 high frequency earthquakes recorded during the three days.
Mr Patia said high frequency earthquakes were occurring as a result of rock-breaking due to movement of magma beneath the volcano.
The overall seismicity on the island is still at low level.
Latest images sent to RVO by Sir Peter Barter last Dec 11, indicated that vegetation on the south-east flank have been withered completely.
The last eruption at Karkar was in 1979.
Mr Patia and another RVO officer will leave for Karkar next Tuesday to continue monitoring earthquake activities from the volcano.
He said monitoring would also include setting up of levelling and tilt network on the island to measure ground deformation associated with any magma movement underneath Karkar volcano.
RVO is currently working on package for permanent monitoring equipment for Karkar as the three portable seismic recorders are only being used temporarily.
Mr Patia said the package would be submitted to the Government.