Manam volcano (Papua New Guinea): new violent eruption, ash to 55,000 ft altitude, residents call for help

Another violent eruptive phase (a paroxysm) is occurring at the volcano. It is already the second such eruption this year after the last one had ended on 11 Jan. VAAC Darwin reported ash plumes rising as high as 55,000 ft (approx. 17 km), which marks it as a very significant event. The eruption is characterized by intense lava fountaining generating a tall ash plume. It has already lasted more…