Volcanoes of New Britain Island (27)

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New Britain island sits on the southern end of the South Bismark Sea plate.
The volcanoes on New Britain belong to the 1000 km long Bismarck Volcanic Arc which overlies the northward subducting Solomon Sea plate, a small ocean basin that is rapidly disappearing underneath the South Bismarck Sea plate to the north. .

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Significant volcanic eruptions: New Britain Island

In historic times, at least 7 volcanoes have been active in New Britain Island, including Ulawun, Langila, and Rabaul (Tavurvur) volcanoes. A total of 101 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since 1700.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events in New Britain Island since around 2010.

Date	Volcano	VEI	Region	Damage
2015 Oct 22 ? - ongoing	Langila Crater 2	2	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2023 Jul 18 - Dec 31	Ulawun	3	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2023 Mar 28	Ulawun	1	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2022 Jun 2	Ulawun	2	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2021 Jul 9 - Nov 29	Ulawun	2	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2019 Jun 26 - Oct 5	Ulawun	4	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2019 Jun 26 (eruption 2019 Jun 26 - Oct 5)	Ulawun	4	New Britain, Papua New Guinea	heavy	Info
2019 Jun 26: An eruption began in the morning hours of 26 June with emissions of gray ash that over time became darker and more energetic. The plumes rose 1 km and drifted NW, causing minor ashfall in NW and SW areas. Locals heard roaring and rumbling during 0600-0800[...]RVO stated that parts of the ash plume at lower altitudes drifted W, causing variable amounts of ashfall in areas to the NW and SW. A pyroclastic flow descended the N flank. Residents evacuated to areas to the NE and W; a news article noted that around 3,000 people had gathered at a local church. According to another news source an observer in a helicopter reported a column of incandescent material rising from the crater, residents noted that the sky had turned black, and a main road in the N part of the island was blocked by volcanic material. Residents also reported a lava flow near Noau village and Eana Valley. RVO reported that the eruption ceased between 1800 and 1900. Incandescence visible on the N flank was either from a lava flow or pyroclastic flow deposits. (reference 2432) Mr Maneke said the region's palm oil crop has also been devastated, which was what many of the people relied on for income. "Basically the ash is falling over the oil palm trees and also food gardens. That is why people are deserting their houses and their villages. It's going to take some time to really come back." (reference #12452) Two people have been reportedly sustained light injuries during the relocation[...]Due to heavy ashfall remaining on the runway, Air Niugini flights into Hoskins Airport were cancelled again as of 1 July until a further review is undertaken by the airline. (reference #12453) An eruption at Mount Ulawun volcano on 26 June had led to the immediate evacuation of 7,000 people and covered 50% of Sipefs oil palms (on more than 6,500ha) with a 3-5cm layer of ashes and small stones, affecting the July harvest, the company said on 5 August. A second eruption occurred on 3 August at the same volcano[...]Combined with the two eruptions, it was projecting a fall of some 19% in palm and palm kernel oil production for this year, compared with 2018, representing a pre-tax loss of some US$14M. (reference #12491) Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). #12452 Radio New Zealand (2019): PNG volcano-affected communities wait on relief, govt help. Published 01 July 2019. Link #12453 United Nations, Office of the Resident Coordinator (2019): Papua New Guinea: Volcanic Activity. Office of the Resident Coordinator, Flash Update No. 3. As of 02 July 2019. #12491 Oils & Fats International (2019): Volcano eruption affects palm oil production in Papua New Guinea. Published 19 August 2019. Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2018 Sep 21 - Oct 12	Ulawun	2	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2018 Jun 8	Ulawun	1	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2017 Jun 11 - Nov 3	Ulawun Summit crater	1	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2016 Oct 11 - Nov 18	Ulawun Summit crater	1	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2014 Jul 7 - Sep 18	Rabaul (Tavurvur) Tavurvur	3	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2013 Jan 19 - 2014 Mar 11	Rabaul (Tavurvur) Tavurvur	2	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2013 Jul 8 - Dec 21	Ulawun Summit crater	1	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2012 Nov 6 - Dec 11	Ulawun Summit crater	1	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2012 Dec 1 - Dec 5	Langila Summit craters	1	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2012 May 3 - Jul 11	Pago Pago	2	West New Britain Province (Papua New Guinea) 5.58°S / 150.52°E
2012 May 7 - May 31	Ulawun Summit crater	1	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2011 Mar 29 - Aug 12	Rabaul (Tavurvur) Tavurvur	2	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2010 May 26 ±4 d. - 2011 May 27	Ulawun Summit crater	2?	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2010 Jul 23 - Jul 25	Rabaul (Tavurvur) Tavurvur	1?	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2009 Sep 16 ±15 d. - 2010 Feb 16 ±15 d.	Langila Crater 2	2	New Britain, Papua New Guinea
2006 Aug 11 - 2010 Jan 31	Rabaul (Tavurvur) Tavurvur	4?	New Britain, Papua New Guinea

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

New Britain Island FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption in New Britain Island?

The last volcanic eruption in New Britain Island was from Ulawun volcano in 2023.

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption in New Britain Island?

The first historically documented eruption occurred 1700 from Ulawun volcano.

+How often do volcanoes in New Britain Island erupt?

Since 1700, New Britain Island has seen at least 101 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 3.2 years.

+How active are the volcanoes in New Britain Island?

New Britain Island is volcanically very active: Since 1900, at least 6 volcanoes in New Britain Island have been active.Since 1900, New Britain Island has had 89 volcanic eruptions from 6 individual volcanoes. Volcanic eruptions have been recorded erupted during 91 years out of 126 as of now. This means, at least one volcano in New Britain Island has been in eruption in one in 1.4 years on average. The last volcano to erupt in New Britain Island was Ulawun volcano, which erupted in 2023, 16 months ago.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption in New Britain Island?

The largest eruption in New Britain Island in historic times was from Ulawun volcano. It occurred in 2019. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Volcano List

Bamus

(stratovolcano 2248 m / 7,375 ft)

Bamus volcano (also known as South Son, Ulawun being the father) is a symmetrical stratovolcano SW of Ulawun volcano, 16 km inland from Stettin Bay.
The volcano is thickly covered by rainforest and fern thickets. The last confirmed activity of Bamus was around 1888, as vil... [more info]

Bangum

(Stratovolcano 988 m / 3241 ft)

[more info]

Bola

(stratovolcano 1155 m / 3,789 ft)

Bola volcano (or Mt. Wangore) is a symmetrical steep stratovolcano that forms the highest point on the Willaumez Peninsula in New Britain.
There are no known recent eruptions, but the fresh morphology of the summit crater suggests that the last activity was only a few hund... [more info]

Buru

(pyroclastic cone 311 m / 1,020 ft)

Buru volcano is a partly preserved cinder cone which rises 250 m above the surrounding swamps. it is located SW of Pago and SE of Oto.
The volcano is named after the Buru river on the south side of the volcano. To the north is a swampy depression called the Buru caldera. [more info]

Dakataua

(caldera 400+ m / 1,312 ft)

Dakataua volcano is a large caldera on the northern end of Willaumez Peninsula, New Britain. The elliptical caldera, 13.5 km E-W and 10.5 km N-S, is one of New Britain's most impressive volcanoes. The caldera contains the 12 km wide horseshoe-shaped Lake Dakataua which is at only... [more info]

Garbuna

(stratovolcanoes 564 m / 1,850 ft)

Garbuna volcano (officially named Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker volcano) lies at the southern end of the Willaumez Peninsula, New Britain. It is part of a basaltic-to-dacitic volcano group consisting of 3 volcanic peaks, Krummel, Garbuna, and Welcker.
Garbuna volcano erupted on 1... [more info]

Garove

(stratovolcano 368 m / 1,207 ft)

Garove volcano forms the 12 km long and low Garove Island, the largest of the Witu Island group located 40 miles (65 km) north of New Britain Island in the Bismarck Sea.
Garove volcano has a 5 km wide flooded caldera open to the sea through a narrow breach on the southern s... [more info]

Garua

(volcanic field 565 m / 1,854 ft)

Garua (Talasea) volcano (or Garua Harbour volcano) is a volcanic field on the Willaumez Peninsula in New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
It has abundant geothermal activity with hot springs, large boiling pools, fumaroles, and small geysers, in particular along the shores of Gar... [more info]

Hargy

(stratovolcano 1148 m / 3,766 ft)

Hargy volcano (also referred to as Eve, Galloseulo, Ibi, Richthofen, Gallosculo) is a little-known volcano in eastern New Britain, but it has one of New Britains's largest calderas, which measures 12 x 10 km.
There are no known historic eruptions and the last activity has ... [more info]

Karai (Sulu Range)

(stratovolcanoes 610 m / 2,001 feet (Mt. Malopu) (Karai cone: 565 m))

Karai volcano is the highest volcano in the Sulu Range in north-central New Britain off Bangula Bay.
The Sulu Range consists of a cluster of partially overlapping small stratovolcanoes and lava domes.
There are no historic eruptions, but in 2006, a vigorous new fumaro... [more info]

Langila

(stratovolcano 1330 m / 4,363 ft)

Langila volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Bismarck Arc of New Britain. It is located 11 km south of Cape Gloucester.
The volcano consists of a group of 4 small overlapping basaltic-andesitic cones on the lower eastern flank of extinct Talawe volcano, which ... [more info]

Likuruanga

(Stratovolcano 904 m / 2966 ft)

[more info]

Lolo

(stratovolcano 805 m / 2,641 ft)

Lolo (also known as Auwers) volcano is a small andesitic stratovolcano 13 km north of Pago volcano in New Britain.
It has a nearly symmetrical shape with steep 35 deg upper slopes above 300 m elevation, and lower more gently inclined 20 deg slopes at its base between 150 a... [more info]

Lolobau

(caldera 858 m / 2,815 ft)

Lolobau volcano forms an island 6.5 km off the coast of New Britain. The island measures 13.7 km long (east-west) and 9.7 km wide (north-south) and is formed by a 6 km wide caldera containing the small lake Naoi, and a younger stratovolcano, Mt Lolobau.
Several vents withi... [more info]

Lotomgan Group

(Pyroclastic cone(s) 555 m / 1821 ft)

[more info]

Mundua

(complex volcano 179 m / 587 ft)

The Mundua Islands are the peaks of several basaltic volcanoes which form Mundua, Wingoru, Garove, and Narage islands.
The largest volcano forms the westerm tip of the 7 km long Mundua island and Wingoru island immediately to the west. It is located 85 km NW of Willaumez Pe... [more info]

Narage

(stratovolcano 307 m / 1,007 ft)

Narage volcano forms a small volcanic island 32 km WNW of Garove Island, north of western New Britain. It is the northernmost of the Witu (Vitu) Islands.
Although the volcano may be extinct, there is vigorous hydrothermal activity. Narage has hot springs and geysers, mainly... [more info]

Oto Group

(Stratovolcano(es) 1277 m / 4190 ft)

[more info]

Pago

(caldera 742 m / 2,434 ft)

A close-up photo of Pago's ravaged summit crater taken from the N on 16 September 2002. (Photo: USGS)

Pago volcano (Witori volcano) is located in the Cape Hoskins area of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. It belongs to the larger complex of Witori volcano and represents the post-caldera cone of the latter.
Pago is probably only 350 years old.
The typical historical act... [more info]

Rabaul (Tavurvur)

(caldera 688 m / 2,257 ft)

Eruption of Tavurvur volcano (Rabaul caldera) (Photo: Paul Nicholsn)

Rabaul volcano is one of the most active and most dangerous volcanoes in Papua New Guinea.
Rabaul exploded violently in 1994 and devastated the lively city of Rabaul. Since then, the young cone Tavurvur located inside the caldera has been the site of near persistent activit... [more info]

Tangi

(Stratovolcano 1524 m / 5000 ft)

[more info]

Tavui

(caldera 200? m / 656 feet)

Tavui is a large, mostly submerged caldera offshore from east New Britain, Papua New Guinea. It has impressive 1000 m cliffs at a location called Submarime Base, a popular diving spot in New Britain.
The volcano was last active about 7000 years ago and might still be consi... [more info]

Ulawun

(stratovolcano 2334 m / 7,657 ft)

Ulawun (also locally known as the "father" //commemt: Bamus being the "son") is a symmetrical large stratovolcano on New Britain Island. It rises majestically above the north coast of New Britain across a low saddle NE of Bamus volcano, the South Son.
Ulawun is one Papua N... [more info]

Unea

(Caldera 579 m / 1900 ft)

[more info]

unnamed

(submarine volcano unknown)

An unnamed seamount is located 30 km NNE of Cape Gloucester on the NW tip of New Britain. It is probably an active submarine volcano and the most likely source of an unconfirmed submarine eruption report during 1983. An earthquake swarm accompanied the event. Local inhabitants he... [more info]

unnamed

(submarine volcano unknown elevation)

There are 2 uncertain reports of submarine eruptions off Cape Hollman NW of Lolobau Island and east of Garove Island during 1951 and 1970, but cannot be definitively attributed to volcanic origin. [more info]

Walo

(hydrothermal field 30 m / 98 ft)

Walo volcano is not actually a volcano, but a geothermal field 5.5 km from Walo village, Bangula Bay on the north coast of New Britain. There are no exposed volcanic rocks, but it contains fumaraoles and hot springs.
The Walo thermal area is connected to the nearby Sulu Ra... [more info]

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Ulawun volcano (Papua New Guinea) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 2 April-8 April 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that activity at Ulawun was low during 1-7 April. Summit emissions were characterized as white, having variable densities, and containing small amounts of ash. The plumes drifted S and caused minor ashfall in areas within a few km to the S and SW of the volcano. ... Read all

Thu, 3 Apr 2025, 06:00

Ulawun volcano (Papua New Guinea) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 26 March-1 April 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that at 0800 on 27 March a dense, dark-gray ash plume rose 2-3 km above the Ulawun's summit and drifted S. Two seismic stations, located 10 km NW and 6 km from the volcano, indicated that seismicity remained low, though small, low-frequency earthquakes within background noise were detected by both stations. Increase seismicity was detected at the station 10 km NW in Real-time Seismic-Amplitude Measurement (RSAM) data 1-2 hours before the eruptive event, peaked about 30 minutes after the event, and then decreased to near-background levels about three hours later. ... Read all