Tall lava fountains and ash-rich plumes at Manam volcano yesterday (image: Damien Pakea Isi/Facebook)
A strong eruptive episode (likely to be classified as paroxysm) occurred at the volcano yesterday and was about a few times stronger than the average size of explosions.
From available imagery, it appears that the volcano was producing pulsating lava fountains of up to several hundred meters.
According to Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Darwin, a tall and ash-rich plume rose to estimated 50,000 ft (15,200 m) altitude and drifted west.