Ulawun


Ulawun is a basaltic and andesitic stratovolcano in West New Britain Province, on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea.
About southwest of the township of Rabaul, Ulawun is the highest mountain in New Britain and the second in the Bismarck Archipelago at, 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. Over 5000 people were evacuated, and flights into nearby Hoskins Airport were cancelled. Lava cut the New Britain Highway in three different locations.
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.

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Eruptive history

Start DateStop DateEruption CertaintyVEIEvidenceActivity Area or Unit
2019 Jun 27In ProgressIn ProgressCurrently being observed
2018 Sep 212018 Oct 12Confirmed2Historical Observations
2018 Jun 82018 Jun 8Confirmed1Historical Observations
2017 Jun 112017 Nov 3Confirmed1Historical Observations
2016 Oct 112016 Nov 18Confirmed1Historical Observations
2013 Jul 82013 Dec 21Confirmed1Historical Observations
2012 Nov 62012 Dec 11Confirmed1Historical Observations-
2012 May 72012 May 31Confirmed1Historical Observations
2010 May 26 ± 4 days2011 May 27Confirmed2Historical Observations
Uncertain1
2007 May 12007 May 1Confirmed2Historical Observations
2006 Mar 12007 Jan 18Confirmed2Historical Observations
2005 Mar 27 2005 Aug 9 Confirmed2Historical Observations
2004 Apr 122004 Apr 14Confirmed2Historical Observations
2003 Apr 14 2003 Oct 10Confirmed2Historical Observations
2002 Aug 22 2002 Nov 3Confirmed2Historical Observations
2001 Aug 282001 Aug 28Confirmed2Historical Observations
2001 Jan 16 2001 May 3Confirmed3Historical ObservationsSummit and NNE flank
2000 Sep 282000 Nov 1Confirmed4Historical Observations
1999 Oct 201999 Oct 20Confirmed1Historical Observations
1994 Apr 19 1994 Jun 16 ± 15 daysConfirmed1Historical Observations
1993 Jan 121993 Jan 31 Confirmed2Historical Observations
1989 Jan 11989 Dec 16 ± 15 daysConfirmed2Historical Observations
1985 Nov 171985 Nov 22Confirmed3Historical Observations
1984 Dec 301985 Jan 27Confirmed1Historical Observations
1984 Aug 231984 Sep 11Confirmed1Historical Observations
1983 Nov 61984 Mar 13Confirmed1Historical Observations
1980 Oct 61980 Oct 7Confirmed3Historical Observations
1978 May 71978 May 14Confirmed3Historical ObservationsSummit, lower east flank
1973 Oct 41973 Oct 19Confirmed2Historical Observations
1970 Jan 151970 Feb 11Confirmed3Historical Observations
1967 Jan 221967 Dec 28Confirmed2Historical Observations
1963 Mar 171963 May 2 Confirmed2Historical Observations
1960 Jul 29 ± 3 days1962 Nov 16 ± 15 daysConfirmed2Historical Observations
1958 Feb 1 ± 60 daysUnknownConfirmed2Historical Observations
Uncertain
1941 Jan 261941 Jan 26Confirmed2Historical Observations
Uncertain
1927 Jul1927 Sep 17 Confirmed2Historical Observations
1919 May 28 UnknownConfirmed2Historical Observations
1918 Jul 21 UnknownConfirmed2Historical Observations
1915 AprUnknownConfirmed3Historical Observations
Discredited
1898UnknownConfirmed3Historical Observations
1878UnknownConfirmed2Historical Observations
1700 Mar 11UnknownConfirmed2Historical Observations

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.