Tinakula volcano (Solomon Islands): new eruption

The lava flow on the western flank continues to be active (image: Sentinel-2)

The lava flow on the western flank continues to be active (image: Sentinel-2)

The volcano has recently (highly likely) entered a new effusive phase.
Judging from the latest Sentinel-2 satellite image, a new lava flow travels from the summit vent and feeds the western slope of the volcano, currently about 1 km long.

The lava already reached the flank margin and made it to the ocean where (presumably) it has been constructing a new lava delta.
The new activity is likely a small-scale strombolian-type eruption from the summit vents, the most typical activity of the volcano. The volcano, very similar in morphology and activity style to Stromboli in Italy, or Batu Tara in Indonesia, is one of the most active ones in the Pacific and erupts on average every few years.