Papua New Guinea Erupts

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Papua New Guinea: Mt Karai Volcano Information Bulletin No. 1
July 18

The Situation

On 13 July, the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported a series of light to moderate earthquakes accompanying the first historical eruption of Karai volcano in Papua New Guinea. Frequent earthquake activity continues with emissions from another volcano. The RVO confirmed several eye witnesses' account of Mt. Bamus, a volcano that has been inactive for more than 100 years near the volcano Ulawun, which began projecting a steam plume into the atmosphere.





Continued earth tremors were felt within the vicinity of Kimbe and as far as Bialla and Mamota, a distance of approximately of 16 – 20km. The tremors continue to occur at five minute intervals. The affected population, estimated at 2,078 people, lives around the Kaiamu, Malasi, Sulu and Silali villages. These communities have moved out of danger areas in fear of an eruption and now live temporarily in six different informal camps. Camp conditions are reported to be adequate, with local residents using a nearby river as their main water source. Most of these communities have moved voluntarily to safer zones on 10 July 2006 after the increase in seismic activity, whilst some communities have evacuated following instructions from the provincial disaster office three days later. The provincial disaster committee is however concerned over inhabitants that may be reluctant to move, citing that this is a situation recurrent in other disasters.

Seismic activities began on 7 July 2006 at Mt Karai, an extinct volcano unknown to the people in the area and the RVO, and were reported to the provincial disaster office three days later. Seismic activities range from moderate to high levels and are characterized mostly by volcanic tectonic events. Earthquakes are felt at irregular intervals with intensities ranging from intensity one to five. It is reported that earthquakes at intensity one and two occur more frequently. Recordings at Kaiamu on 16 July 2006 indicate heightened frequency and levels of seismic activity consisting of overlapping volcanic tectonic events. A few booming noises were heard yesterday, but there have been no ash emissions during the last two days.

The magma is as yet not connected to the surface via fractures or conduits. However, if the current level of seismic activity continues, an eruption is very much likely to occur.

The provincial disaster office (PDO) has requested the national disaster centre's (NDC) assistance for long-term strategies should the situation prolong. Consultations for are in progress and a team might be deployed soon.