Ulawun

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Ulawun
Ulawun issuing passive steaming
Highest point
Elevation	2,334 m (7,657 ft)[1]
Prominence	2,334 m (7,657 ft)
Listing	Ultra
Coordinates	5°03′00″S 151°20′00″E / 5.05000°S 151.33333°E / -5.05000; 151.33333Coordinates: 5°03′00″S 151°20′00″E / 5.05000°S 151.33333°E / -5.05000; 151.33333
Geography
Ulawun Papua New Guinea
Location	West New Britain, Papua New Guinea
Geology
Mountain type	Stratovolcano
Volcanic arc/belt	Bismarck volcanic arc
Last eruption	2019

Ulawun is a basaltic and andesitic stratovolcano in West New Britain Province, on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea.

About 130 km (81 mi) southwest of the township of Rabaul, Ulawun is the highest mountain in New Britain and the second in the Bismarck Archipelago at 2,334 metres (7,657 ft), and one of the most active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea. A total of 22 recorded eruptions have occurred since the 18th century; the first, in 1700, was recorded by William Dampier. Several thousand people live near the volcano. Because of its eruptive history and proximity to populated areas, Ulawun has been deemed one of the Decade Volcanoes.

Recent activity[]

The last few years have seen almost constant activity at Ulawun, with frequent small explosions, and have caused great damage and loss of life.

The most recent eruption occurred at approximately 7am on 26 June 2019, and was quickly upgraded to a major sub-Plinian eruption, with ash climbing to 19 kilometres (62,000 ft).^[2] Over 5000 people were evacuated, and flights into nearby Hoskins Airport were cancelled. Lava cut the New Britain Highway in three different locations.^[3]

Volcanoes in Papua New Guinea are some of the world's most prolific sources of sulphur dioxide. Recent studies have shown that Ulawun alone releases about 7 kg/s of SO₂, which is about 2% of the global total of SO₂ emissions into the atmosphere.

View[]

A steam plume from Ulawun drifting over the sea is clearly visible in this satellite image

Ulawun Volcano and Lolobau Island

Eruptive history[]

Decade Map[]

Ulawun has been named one of the Decade Volcanoes, 16 volcanoes identified as being worthy of particular study in light of their history of large, destructive eruptions and their proximity to populated areas.

Teide

Nyiragongo

Vesuvius

Etna

Santorini

Unzen

Sakurajima

Taal

Merapi

Ulawun

Mauna Loa

Colima

Santa María

Avachinsky

Koryaksky

Galeras

Rainier

Ulawun is one of the 16 Decade Volcanoes.

See also[]

• List of volcanoes in Papua New Guinea
• List of ultras of Oceania

References[]

• McGonigle A.J.S., Oppenheimer C., Tsanev V.I. et al. (2004), Sulphur dioxide fluxes from Papua New Guinea's volcanoes, Geophysical Research Letters, v. 31, issue 8
• Johnson, RW, Davies, RA and White, AJR (1972) Ulawun Volcano, New Britain. Canberra, Department of National Development, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics Bulletin 142, PNG 5.

External links[]

• Information from the Papua New Guinea Geological Survey
• "Mount Ulawun, Papua New Guinea" on Peakbagger