Bamus

New Britain Island


SUMMARY

Type: composite
Activity: dormant
Last Eruption: 1890
Rock Type: ?
Eruptive Volume: ?
Location Map from Xerox PARC
Latitude: 5.20 S
Longitude: 151.24 E


Geologic Background:

The symmetrical Bamus volcano, also referred to locally as South Son, is located SW of Ulawun volcano, known as the North Son. These two volcanoes are the highest in the 1,000-km-long Bismarck volcanic arc. Bamus stratovolcano is draped by rainforest and contains a breached summit crater filled with a lava dome. A satellitic cone is located on the southern flank, and a prominent 1.5-km-wide crater with two small adjacent cones is situated halfway up the SE flank. Young pyroclastic-flow deposits are found on the volcano's flanks, and villagers describe an eruption that took place during the late 19th century.

Historic Activity:

  • Last eruption is thought to have occurred in about 1890.

Recent Activity:

  • Solfataric activity.
  • Strong seismicity began in February 1990 and continued thru early March and then began to decline. Returned to near background levels by May 1990.

Data Sources:

  • Global Volcanism Network (V. 15, No. 2 to V. 15, No. 5)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Last Update: 12/13/00