Manam volcanic activities increase

 By DOROTHY MARK

VOLCANIC activities on Manam Island have increased, according to a report.

The report from the Volcanological Observatory Geohazards management division said strong strombolian activity was observed at the southern crater between April 1 and 14.

The observatory has recommended that the national and provincial disaster committees declare stages three alert level. This will alert people to move to safer areas within the island and voluntary evacuation from the island. 

People on the island have been advised to stay away from the four main radial valleys, especially the southeast and southwest ones because activities are still strong at the southern crater that used to flow though the two valleys.

People are also asked to move to ash-free areas while disaster management teams moved into assess the situation.

The Madang disaster office said yesterday it was aware of the situation on the island.

The report stated that between April 1 and 7, light to grey ash emissions rose 200m above the summit crater.

It said that on clear nights, weak to moderate projections of incandescent lava fragments could be observed. 

Most fragments fell around the crater area.

It was also reported that people on the island heard rumbling noises. 

Similar noises were heard in Bogia  located about 30km away on the north coast of Madang.

The report said that on April 13, a few loud bangs rattled bush material houses at Dugulava village on the south-west side of the island.

It said most fragments from the strombolian eruption, including a small volume of lava, reached the southwest valley. 

Ashes rose as high as 600m above the summit before being blown to the northwest part of the island.

The main craters released only weak emissions of thin to thick white vapour.