Lava Flows

Manam Island Volcano in Eruption

VOLCANIC eruptions extending over a week occurred on Manam (Vulcan) Island, off the north coast of New Guinea, during October.

Stones w r ere thrown 3,000 ft. into the air and in the heavy flow of lava seawards, native gardens were destroyed. No lives were lost, however, and the natives de clined to leave the island.

The B.P. inter-island steamer Maiwara witnessed terrific eruptions in the even ings of October 18 and 24. On both occa sions the vessel stood by, but the natives did not appear to require assistance or wish to leave the island.

A party under a Government Patrol Officer departed from Madang on October 27 to investigate the position of the 3,000 natives on the island. Supplies of rice were taken for their sustenance.

Manam, about nine miles off the coast of the N.G. mainland, is situated south eastward of the mouth of the Sepik River.

Its area is about 32 square miles, and it has a cone-shaped crater 4,265 ft. high, still active. The island is constantly seen with its head in a cloud of vapour.

A previous eruption on the island occurred in March, 1921, the volcano emit ting quantities of steam, dust, and debris, with occasional flows of lava. A more violent outbreak was in August, 1919, when gardens and houses were destroyed.

There was also an eruption on the island in 1917, following an earthquake.

The Manam natives believe the visita tions to be the work of an evil spirt, and it is their custom to appease its wrath by solemn dancing, to the beating of drums and the blowing of long pipes of bamboo.