Manam
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| Manam | |
|---|---|
 Large Ash Plume From Manam Volcano, November 2004 |
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| Elevation: | 1,807 metres |
| Coordinates: | |
| Location: | Northeast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea |
| Type: | Stratovolcano (active) |
| First ascent: | -- |
| Last eruption: | 2006 (continuing) |
| Easiest route: | -- |
Manam is an inhabited island located in the Bismarck Sea across the Stephan Strait from the northeast coast of mainland Papua New Guinea. Only 10 kilometers wide, the island was created from the activity of the Manam Volcano, one of the country’s most active. Prior to the most recent activity, the island was reached by boat from the mainland from nearby Bogia, and visitors were greeted by enthusiastic residents.
Manam is a basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano, and despite remarkably symmetrical lower flanks has four distinct valleys, locally known as "avalanche valleys" due to their ability to focus avalanches and particularly pyroclastic flows generated at the summit. These valleys represent the highest-risk areas during eruptions, and are typically the first areas to be evacuated during heightened activity. The earliest documented eruption of Manam was in 1616.
Thirteen local residents were killed during an eruption on 3rd December 1996, when pyroclastic flows reached the village of Budua.
In November 2004, a major eruption forced the emergency evacuation of over 9,000 inhabitants of the island. The eruption began October 24 but was not seen as a major threat until the wind changed pushing ash and debris towards inhabited areas. Five have died and presently 3,000 are still waiting to be removed from the danger area. On December 11, the threat was downgraded due to a reduction in activity. There remain significant problems at Bogia on the mainland where the evacuees are currently residing.
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