Manam Motu

Geology

Manam is a basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano, and despite remarkably symmetrical lower flanks has four distinct valleys, locally known as "avalanche valleys" due to their ability to focus avalanches and particularly pyroclastic flows generated at the summit. These valleys represent the highest-risk areas during eruptions, and, when the island was inhabited, were typically the first areas to be evacuated during heightened activity. The earliest documented eruption of Manam was in 1616.

History

The first recorded sighting by Europeans of Manam Island was on 5 August 1545 by the Spanish navigator Iñigo Órtiz de Retes on board the carrack San Juan, trying to return from Tidore to New Spain.

Eruptions and hazards

Thirteen local residents were killed during an eruption on 3 December 1996, when pyroclastic flows reached the village of Budua.

In November 2004, a major eruption forced the emergency evacuation of over 9,000 inhabitants of the island. The eruption began October 24 but was not seen as a major threat until the wind changed pushing ash and debris towards inhabited areas. Five people died during the eruption. On December 11, the threat was downgraded due to a reduction in activity. There have been significant problems at Bogia on the mainland where the evacuees resettled in camps at Mangem, Asarumba and Potsdam.

In March 2007 the government of Papua New Guinea made a large area of land available for permanent resettlement of displaced islanders at Andarum near Bogia. Also in March 2007, three people were killed by mudslides on the northern part of the island. As of 2014, at least 2000-3000 people have returned to the island despite continued government concerns for their safety.

On March 8, 2022, the volcano erupted, sending a column of ash 15 km into the atmosphere. The eruption was confirmed by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia.

Residents

Manam Islanders have their own language called Manam Pile (literally "Manam talk"), which is spoken on Manam and the nearby Boisa Islands. Manam islanders have a reputation in Papua New Guinea for musicianship and have produced several locally renowned musicians.

References

References

1. {{cite gvp
2. [http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/PNG1500m.html "Papua New Guinea Ultra-Prominence Page"] Peaklist.org. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
3. (19 Feb 2018). "Manam volcano".
4. [https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/manam/news/230606/Manam-Volcano-Volcanic-Ash-Advisory-VA-TO-FL090-OBS-AT-042330Z-MOV-WSW-OBS-VA-DTG-042330Z-to-9000-ft.html] January 12, 2024
5. Coello, Francisco "Conflicto hispano-alemán" ''Boletín de Sociedad Geográfica de Madrid'', t.XIX. 2º semestre 1885, Madrid, p.317.
6. (8 Feb 2016}}{{Dead link). "Starving Manam Islanders at Care Centres Speak Out". EM TV Online.
7. (8 March 2022). "Large eruption occurs in Papua New Guinea; no tsunami in Japan". Kyodo News.