The Manam volcano in Madang Province has started smoking again.
The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory’s (RVO) warning system was triggered yesterday at around 1.55pm.
The Real-time Seismic-Amplitude Measurement (RSAM), which is the average value of the size (amplitude) and number of guria (quakes) recorded in a specified period, triggered a warning when it exceeded 300.
“Normal background level is usually around 50 to 100. If it goes above 300 a warning is triggered by the monitoring system automatically and email is sent to RVO staff. When it goes above 1000 it usually indicates that volcano is erupting,” an RVO staff explained to Loop PNG.
In an update sent early this morning, the RVO said the seismicity, consisting mainly of continuous volcanic tremors, has been maintained at high level since 4am.
“RSAM values remained high between 1500 and 1600,” advised the Observatory.
“Reports from Warisi on Manam at 0755am confirmed an ongoing eruption from main crater. Lava flow was channeled into Northeast Valley starting around 4am.
“Intermittent bursts of scoria fall have been experienced between Warisi and Abaria after 0600am.”
The last eruption was on December 8th between 11.30am and 12pm, where villages between Boakure and Warisi were affected by ashfall.
The RVO says it will continue to monitor the situation.
(Picture: Tracey Parr)