Manam Volcano
Papua New Guinea's Most Dangerous Island Volcano
1,807 m
2018-present
Stratovolcano
Papua New Guinea
Location
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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 8 years ago | Very Recent | Currently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Authority Sources
Interesting Facts
Manam has produced four VEI 4 eruptions since 1919 — more than most volcanoes produce in centuries — making it one of the most violently active volcanoes in the southwestern Pacific.
The entire population of Manam Island — approximately 10,000 people — has been evacuated at least three times since 2004, yet most islanders have returned each time.
Manam's four radial valleys channel pyroclastic flows from the summit directly to the coast in minutes, creating a lethal funnel effect that leaves coastal villages in the direct firing line.
The volcano's total height from the seafloor is approximately 4,000 m — more than double its above-water elevation of 1,807 m — making it a massive submarine mountain.
In the 1996 eruption, pyroclastic flows killed 13 people who had no time to flee because the flows traveled from summit to coast faster than any warning system could operate.
Manam has erupted 46 times since 1616, averaging roughly one eruption every 8-9 years, though activity has been nearly continuous since the mid-20th century.
The 2004 evacuation created a displacement crisis lasting years, with evacuees in mainland camps facing inadequate shelter, food shortages, and social tension with host communities.
Both of Manam's summit craters — the Main (northern) and Southern — are active, though the Southern crater has been the dominant eruptive vent for the past century.
Five satellite volcanic cones near Manam's shoreline represent secondary vents, showing that eruptions have occurred at multiple points around the island throughout its history.
Manam's persistent SO2 emissions are regularly detected by satellite instruments, making it one of the most visible volcanic degassing sources in the western Pacific.
Papua New Guinea has 39 Holocene volcanoes — one of the highest concentrations of active volcanoes of any nation — and Manam is among the most dangerous.
The Manam people have inhabited the island for centuries despite its volcanic activity, sustained by exceptionally fertile volcanic soils and rich surrounding fisheries.