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Karkar Volcano - John Seach
Madang Province, Papua New Guinea
4.649 S, 145.964 E
summit elevation 1839 m
stratovolcano
Karkar Island is located 64 km north of Madang. The island is 25 km long and 19 km wide with two summit calderas. The main caldera is almost perfectly circular 3.2 km in diameter with vertical walls 300 m high.
The last volcanic activity from Karkar was in September 1997 when fumarolic gases killed vegetation. Activity at Karkar volcano includes Strombolian and phreatic eruptions.
There was an increase in thermal activity and gas emission from SE and SW flanks of Bagiai cone in 2007. Vegetation was killed. In February 2008, 15-20 volcanic earthquakes were measured daily at the volcano.
1979 Eruption and Fatalities
Explosive eruptions began at Karkar volcano in January 1979, after six months of increased seismic and fumarolic activity. On 8th March at about 0100 hr an phreatic eruption ejected incandescent tephra which was visible from the New Guinea mainland 30 km away. The eruption killed two volcanologists (Robin Cooke and Elias Ravian) who were camped at the volcano.
1974-75 Eruption
Eruptions began on 14th February 1974 and continued until 8th August 1974. Basaltic-andesite lava flowed from two vents on SE flank of Bagiai cone on the caldera floor. Stromolian eruptions occurred from vents near the summit. Eruptions resumed in January 1975 with new effusive and explosive vents. Mild vulcanian eruptions occurred between April and June 1975.
Karkar Volcano Eruptions
1980?, 1979, 1974-75, 1974, 1962?, 1895, 1885, 1830?, 1643