Ring Of Fire activity intensifies as another volcano eruption hits Papua New Guinea along with a powerful magnitude 6.4 - 88km SW of the Mariana Islands.

Manam volcano CREDIT NASA

The recent explosion of major quakes and volcanic activity continues to intensify as yet another volcano eruption has occurred in Papua New Guinea along with a powerful magnitude 6.4 - 88km SW of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Just 2 days after the large eruption of Ulawun, another large explosive eruption occurred in Papua New Guinea today, this time from Manam volcano located on a small island north of the mainland. Earlier today, the more or less permanently active volcano had another of its not usual, short-lived, but the very intense paroxysmal episode with lava fountaining occurred today, starting around 13:00 local time.
An ash plume that rose to 50,000 ft (15 km) altitude.
A few hours later, the ash plume became separated from the volcano and was observed drifting SW. VAAC Darwin issued a warning and mentioned that it was expecting the plume to dissipate within 12 hours above an area over the southern part of or south of Papua New Guinea (see attached graphics), i.e. around the time of this report.
Such paroxysm has occurred at the volcano relatively frequently, at intervals of few months during the past years, last on 14 May and 24 January 2019. In most cases, lava flows as well as pyroclastic flows have occurred.
No reports about significant damage have been received.
Local reports indicate heavy ash fall blocking out the sunlight.

Papua New Guinea's volatile Ulawun volcano eruption Tuesday, credit NASA

Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea's volatile Ulawun volcano - designated one of the world's most hazardous - erupted Wednesday, spewing lava high in the air and sending residents fleeing.
A pilot for Niugini Helicopters flying near the crater witnessed a column of lava spurting vertically into the equatorial sky, along with ash that has been belching since early morning.
Ulawun, on the remote Bismarck Archipelago chain, is listed as one of 16 "Decade Volcanoes" targeted for research because they pose a significant risk of large, violent eruptions.
Witnesses said lava had cut off the main highway in the north of the island.
Witnesses had reported ash spewing out of the 2,334 meters (7,657 foot) summit, sending trails spanning high overhead.
Japanese satellite imagery and sources on the ground had shown sulfur dioxide and now volcanic ash drifting from the crater.
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said the ash reached more than 13 kilometres (44,000 feet) into the air.
The bureau's Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre issued a "red" warning to airlines, indicating the eruption was imminent, although there is not believed to be an immediate threat for flight routes.

The magnitude 6.4 - 88km SW of Farallon de Pajaros, Northern Mariana Islands is the 18th major quake of June, all recorded around the Pacific Ring Of Fire and the 76th of 2019.

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