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Langila

Complex in Papua New Guinea

Last Eruption: 2025

Key Facts

Elevation

1,330 m (4,364 ft)

Type

Complex

Location

-5.525°, 148.420°

Region

Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Total Eruptions

26

Max VEI

VEI 3

Rock Type

Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Eruption Timeline

2025 CENotable

Most recent confirmed eruption

2013 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1998 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1993 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1991 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1986 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1966 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1963 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1933 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1930 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1905 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1893 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1881 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1866 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1863 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1851 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1846 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1839 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1827 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

Overview

Langila, one of the most active volcanoes of New Britain, consists of a group of four small overlapping composite basaltic-andesitic cones on the lower E flank of the extinct Talawe volcano in the Cape Gloucester area of NW New Britain. A rectangular, 2. 5-km-long crater is breached widely to the SE; Langila was constructed NE of the breached crater of Talawe.

An extensive lava field reaches the coast on the N and NE sides of Langila. Frequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded since the 19th century from three active craters at the summit. The youngest and smallest crater (no.

3 crater) was formed in 1960 and has a diameter of 150 m.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

    Risk Level

    Population at RiskModerate
    Infrastructure RiskHigh
    Aviation RiskSignificant

    Geological Composition & Structure

    Rock Types

    Primary
    Basalt / Picro-Basalt
    Silica Content
    Low (45-52% SiO₂)

    Tectonic Setting

    Subduction zone
    Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

    Age & Formation

    Epoch
    Holocene
    Evidence
    Eruption Observed

    Eruption Statistics & Analysis

    MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
    Total Recorded Eruptions26HighHighly active volcano
    Maximum VEIVEI 3ModerateLocal impact potential
    Recent Activity1 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

    Monitoring & Alert Status

    Monitoring Networks

    Global Volcanism Program
    International eruption database

    Current Status

    Active
    Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

    Nearby Volcanoes in Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions

    Regional Volcanic Activity
    The Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

    Quick Info

    • Smithsonian ID: 252010
    • Evidence: Eruption Observed
    • Epoch: Holocene

    About the Photo

    Langila, one of the most active volcanoes of New Britain, consists of a group of four small overlapping cones on the lower eastern flank of the extinct Talawe volcano. Plumes are shown here on 4 September from Craters 2 (left) and 3 (right) during a 1970 eruption. Frequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded since the 19th century from the three active craters at the summit.

    Photo by Wally Johnson, 1970 (Australia Bureau of Mineral Resources).

    Basic Information

    This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.