OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Open search box
Ulawun is a stratovolcano. It is part of an island arc, a curved line of volcanoes that form above a subduction zone. Photograph courtesy of Ben Talai of the Rabaul Observatory.
Ulawun has erupted at least 21 times since 1700. Nearly all of the eruptions have been explosive with VEI of 2-3. None of the eruptions have caused fatalities but a few have caused damage. This photo shows an eruption in January 1970. The most recent eruption was in 1993 and lasted only 19 days. Photograph courtesy of Ben Talai of the Rabaul Observatory.
April 20, 2004
On April 12 and 13, small ~700-m-high ash plumes which drifted ~75 km E and NE, showed on satellite images. The next day, an ash plume rose to ~3 km above sea level and extended ~37 km NE. This contrast with the low level of activity of the last three weeks which was characterized by emissions of vapor from the summit crater.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 14, 2003
On Oct. 10, an ~3 km-high ash plume was visible on satellite imagery. It extended ~75 km WNW of the summit.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 7, 2003
On Oct. 5, an ash plume was visible on satellite imagery at ~4.3 km a.s.l.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
September 23, 2003
Satellite imagery showed an ash plume rising ~3.7 km a.s.l. on Sept. 22.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
June 24, 2003
On 19 and 20 June faint ash plumes from Ulawun were visible on satellite imagery.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
June 3, 2003
During 12-27 May, Ulawun's main summit crater continued to emit weak-to-moderate Activity was low this week at Ulawun. on June 1, a thin, low-level plume was observed on satellite images.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
May 6, 2003
2 low ash-and-steam plumes were seen to drift from Ulawun on April 30th and May 2nd.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
April 15, 2003
On April 14, a short eruption produced an ash cloud ~6 km up in the air. The eruption intensity decreased after 10 minutes.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
March 4, 2003
Volcanic and seismic activities were low with only low to moderate volumes of steam being emitted. Heavy rains from Feb. 19-24 produced mudflows along the volcano's flanks and residents were evacuated.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
November 5, 2002
On November 3rd, ash was reported drifting ESE at a height of ~3 km above sea level
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 22, 2002
On Oct. 16, a low-level ash plume, gradually drifting to northward, was visible on satellite imagery.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 8, 2002
A low-level ash plume, drifting to the NE, was visible on satellite imagery on October 1st.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
October 1, 2002
On 28 September an ash-and-steam cloud was erupted and rose to ~3.7 km above sea level. The cloud, drifting WSW, was visible on satellite imagery.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
September 24, 2002
On 19 September at 0700 a low-level ash plume from Ulawun was visible on
satellite
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
September 17, 2002
On the morning of September 12, a low-level ash plume located north of Ulawun was visible on satellite imagery for approximately 4 hours
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
September 10, 2002
On September 7th, an approximately 3-km high ash plume was visible on satellite imagery.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
September 3, 2002
Eruption of ash occurred last week and the activity increased on the 26 and 27. A low-level ash cloud was visible on satellite imagery on August 28th, at 07:32 (local time). By 15:32 the ash was no longer visible.
This information was summarized from the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
February 26, 2002
Last week, weak-to-moderate vapor plumes were emitted from the summit vent. On February 21st weak roaring noises were heard, tremor increased to moderate levels and a weak red glow was briefly visible.
This information was summarized from Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.
This information was summarized from Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.
This information was summarized from Discovery Online and Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.
Source of Information:
Simkin, T., and Siebert, L., 1994, Volcanoes of the World: Geoscience Press, Tucson, Arizona, 349 p.