THE entire population of an island has been evacuated as concerns mount over a volcanic eruption that sprang out of nowhere.

There are concerns the eruption could become explosive and bring a risk of tsunamis and landslides.

The dormant volcano erupted in spectacular fashion over the weekend, spewing lava for the first time in known history and sending an ash cloud 2.1 kilometres above sea level.

The volcano, on Kadovar Island northeast of Papua New Guinea, lay dormant until January 5 when it began to erupt at around noon, local media reports. Experts are calling it the “first surprise volcano to erupt in 2018”.

Thick dust, clouds and smoke have carpeted the island, along with showering neighbouring islands with ash as experts race to discover why the volcano sprang to life. The eruption also stripped much of the land on the island.

The volcanic island lay approximately 24 kilometres from the northern coast of mainland Papua New Guinea.

Authorities were alerted after receiving calls for help from distressed residents.

At least 600 residents who lived on the island were forced to evacuate — some in a dingy — as authorities rushed to help the displaced.

The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory told Loop PNG the eruption could “become explosive”.

“Due to the steepness of the island, landslides are possible and together with the explosive nature of the magma, tsunamis may be generated,” a report read.

“IT appears from satellite imagery and aerial photographs that it started with mild vulcanian activity from a vent at the SE (southeast) base of the cumulodome”.

“It appears a fissure may be opening just inside of the western wall of the vent’s breach, descending down to at least sea level.

Wewak District Administrator Ricky Wobar said the situation on the island had “worsened” after flying overhead “to assess the situation on the island, where they observed lava coming out of the once dormant volcano”.

“The situation is very critical,” he said on social media.

Authorities sent boats from Kopar, Kadovar’s nearest island neighbour, approximately half an hour away, to evacuate residents living on the island.

Fifty to sixty per cent of the island is covered by lava since the volcano began to erupt.

“The island is in a critical situation. The clouds are darker and increasing at an alarming rate,” Kopar councillor Tom Kelly told Loop PNG.

While it is the first time believed to have erupted, a possible eruption was witnessed by early explorers in 1700. The volcano was quiet again until 1976 for a short period of heightened thermal activity and again in 2015 with a burst of “seismic unrest”.

— Continue the conversation via Facebook or Twitter.</s></s>Some 600 residents on a tiny island off Papua New Guinea have been evacuated after a volcano previously believed to be dormant erupted and spewed a “continuous plume” of ash, officials and reports said Sunday.

The volcano on the northern island of Kadovar, more than 500 metres (1,640-feet) high, erupted on Friday, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre told AFP.

“Since then, it’s been emitting a continuous plume out to the west-northwest,” centre forecaster Chris Kearney told AFP.

READ MORE: Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung volcano erupts, spewing ash into the sky

“It’s been kept mostly over the ocean and still continuing as we speak.”

American Christian non-governmental organization Samaritan Aviation said all residents on the island were evacuated.

“The reports we have is that all of the residents of the island have been evacuated and that there has not been any loss of life,” the NGO wrote on Facebook late Saturday.

Kearney said the volcano was thought to be dormant before the surprise eruption.

“The volcano showed signs of seismic unrest back in 2015, so it was rumbling a bit, but it didn’t erupt at that time, and that’s the only activity in its recorded history apart from the recent eruption,” he said.

The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory told local news site Loop PNG that more than half of the island was “covered in volcanic products”.

“Currently, there are no reports of fatalities,” the observatory added.

PNG sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where high volcanic and seismic activity is the norm.</s>A dormant volcano on Kadovar Island, northeast of Papua New Guinea, has erupted for the first time in known history, with a large plume of ash rising 2.1km above sea level, forcing the evacuation of over 500 residents.

The 365-meter (1,197-ft) volcano started erupting on Friday, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center said. The eruption could become explosive, domestic online media Loop PNG quoted the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO) as saying.

“Due to the steepness of the island, landslides are possible, and together with the explosive nature of the magma, tsunamis may be generated. Due to the size of the island, any activity will impact the local population,” it said on Sunday.

Footage of the eruption, taken from an airplane, showed gigantic grey and white plumes of ash billowing in the sky from the crater.

“It’s just a continuous emission of volcanic ash at the moment,” Cheyne O’Brien, a forecaster at the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, told Reuters on Sunday.

The plume of ash rising from the volcano does not yet pose a hazard to aviation, but a change in wind direction could hit operations at Papua New Guinea’s Wewak Airport, O‘Brien said.

The population of the island is estimated at between 500 and 600 people. According to US-based charity Samaritan Aviation, which conducts emergency life flights to remote areas of PNG, all residents of the island have been safely evacuated.

“The report we have is that all of the residents of the island have been evacuated and that there has not been any loss of life,” it said on Facebook. “We do not have any details yet as to where all of the families have been evacuated to but hope to have further information in the near future. Your continued prayers for those displaced are appreciated,” Samaritan Aviation added.

According to Chris Firth, a volcanologist at Macquarie University, there are no confirmed records of a previous eruption of Kadovar.

“It’s hard to predict what might happen, as there’s nothing to compare it to,” Firth told Reuters. Scientists speculate, however, that it could have been one of the two “burning islands” mentioned by 17th-century English explorer William Dampier.</s>File: Kadovar Island, a 365-metre-high volcano on the north coast of Papua New Guinea, was thought to be dormant until it began erupting on Friday. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

SYDNEY - A remote island volcano in Papua New Guinea has begun spewing ash into the air, forcing the evacuation of more than 500 residents, media and non-profit groups have said.

Kadovar Island, a 365-metre -tall volcano on the north coast of PNG, was thought to be dormant until it began erupting on Friday, 5 January.

"It's just a continuous emission of volcanic ash at the moment," Cheyne O’Brien, a forecaster at the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, told Reuters by telephone on Sunday.

The ash clouds have been thrown up steadily to a height of 2,133 metres, forming a plume that is travelling west-northwest, he added.

The plume does not yet pose a hazard to aviation, but a change in wind direction could hit operations at PNG's Wewak airport, O'Brien said.

All residents of the island have been evacuated with no loss of life, US-based charity Samaritan Aviation, which operates seaplanes to remote areas of PNG, said on Facebook.

Reuters could not immediately reach authorities in Papua New Guinea by telephone for comment.

The population of the island ranges from at least 500 to more than 600, media have estimated.

The eruption may become explosive, bringing a risk of tsunamis and landslides, domestic online media Loop PNG quoted the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory as saying.

There are no confirmed records of a previous eruption of Kadovar, said Chris Firth, a vulcanologist at Macquarie University, but scientists speculate it could have been one of two "burning islands" mentioned in the journals of a 17th-century English pirate and maritime adventurer, William Dampier.

Dampier may have recorded the last eruption of Kadovar during a voyage in search of "Terra Australis", the southern continent once thought to be mythical, Firth said.

Vulcanologists are interested to observe its behaviour now, Firth added.

"It's hard to predict what might happen, as there's nothing to compare it with."</s>Hundreds of people have been forced to flee their homes after a surprise eruption from a dormant volcano that experts fear could cause a Tsunami.

At least 600 residents fled - some in dinghies - as a huge volcanic plume of ash and gases shot more than 2km into the air over Kadovar Island off the northeastern coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG). 



A mass evacuation was ordered amid fears the eruption may become explosive, bringing a risk of tsunamis and landslides, the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO) told Loop PNG.

Experts are now racing to find out what cause the disturbance in the volcano, which was believed to be dormant until it began spewing ash into the air on January 5, carpeting the village below with thick dust and ash.

As there is no record of any previous eruption of Kadovar there is little in the way of monitoring the volcano prior to the new ash emissions.

Wewak District Administrator Ricky Wobar wrote on social media that the situation was 'critical' and 'worsening'.

The RVO warned: "Due to the steepness of the island, landslides are possible and together with the explosive nature of the magma, tsunamis may be generated,' a report read.

"It appears a fissure may be opening just inside of the western wall of the vent's breach, descending down to at least sea level."

The ash clouds have formed a plume that is travelling west-northwest Cheyne O'Brien, a forecaster at the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre said today, adding: "It's just a continuous emission of volcanic ash at the moment."

The plume does not yet pose a hazard to aviation, but a change in wind direction could hit operations at PNG's Wewak airport, O'Brien said.

All residents of the island have been evacuated with no loss of life, U.S.-based charity Samaritan Aviation, which operates seaplanes to remote areas of PNG, said on Facebook.

"We do not have any details yet as to where all of the families have gone and hope to have further information in the near future," the non-profit added.

In the latest update, they wrote: "We just returned from another flight to check on the current conditions on Kadovar. As you can see from this picture, the volcanic activity has increased dramatically since yesterday.

"The report we have is that all of the residents of the island have been evacuated and that there has not been any loss of life.

"We do not have any details yet as to where all of the families have been evacuated to but hope to have further information in the near future. Your continued prayers for those displaced are appreciated."

The volcanic island lay approximately 24 kilometres from the northern coast of mainland Papua New Guinea.

Authorities in Papua New Guinea could not be immediately reached by telephone for comment.

Authorities sent boats from Kopar, Kadovar’s nearest island neighbour, approximately half an hour away, to evacuate residents living on the island.

Fifty to sixty per cent of the island is covered by lava since the volcano began to erupt.

There are no confirmed records of a previous eruption of Kadovar, said Chris Firth, a vulcanologist at Macquarie University, but scientists speculate it could have been one of two "burning islands" mentioned in the journals of a 17th-century English pirate and maritime adventurer, William 

 Dampier.

Dampier may have recorded the last eruption of Kadovar during a voyage in search of "Terra Australis", the southern Vulcanologists are interested to observe its behaviour now, Firth added.

"It's hard to predict what might happen, as there's nothing to compare it to."</s>A dormant volcano on Kadovar Island has erupted spewing lava for the first time in known history. The volcano, which is on the northeast of Papua New Guinea, has sat dormant ever since its discovery by a Spanish navigator in 1545.

The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory has warned that the eruption could become explosive and bring landslides and tsunamis to the region, the New Zealand Herald reported.

It said: "Due to the steepness of the island, landslides are possible and together with the explosive nature of the magma, tsunamis may be generated.

"It appears from satellite imagery and aerial photographs that it started with mild vulcanian activity from a vent at the southeast base.

"It appears a fissure may be opening just inside of the western wall of the net's breach descending dow to at least sea level."

After flying over the island, Wewak District Administrator Ricky Wobar said on social media: "The situation is very critical."

Three years ago, the volcano had experienced a "seismic unrest", but is not believed to have erupted before, the Daily Star reported.

According to experts, it is the "first surprise volcano to erupt in 2018".

Authorities were alerted after distressed residents called them for help. As much as 50 to 60% of the island is said to be covered by the lava since the eruption, forcing at least 600 residents to evacuate.

The eruption has also caused a thick layer of dust, clouds and smoke, and neighbouring islands have been showered with ashes, News.com.au reported.

The neighbouring island of Kopar raced to help the remaining residents evacuate. Kopar councilor Tom Kelly said "the clouds are darker and increasing at an alarming rate".</s>All residents have been evacuated from a long-dormant volcanic island in Papua New Guinea which burst into activity on Friday.

Read more on Radio New Zealand International</s>Hundreds of residents have forced to evacuate their homes after a surprise eruption from a dormant volcano, carpeting the village below with dust and ash.

A volcanic plume of ash and gases rose more than two kilometres into the air over Kadovar Island off the northeastern coast of Papua New Guinea.

Experts are racing to uncover the cause of the unexpected eruption as lava continues to spew from the volcano, covering more than 50 per cent of the land.

Wewak District Administrator Ricky Wobar wrote on social media that the situation was 'critical' and 'worsening'.

Authorities rushed to help people displaced by the occurrence as 600 people fled the island, some in dinghies, just after 12pm on Friday afternoon.

According to news.com.au, the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory has warned Papua New Guinea that the aftermath of the explosion could be a devastating tsunami.

'Due to the steepness of the island, landslides are possible and together with the explosive nature of the magma, tsunamis may be generated,' a report read.

'It appears a fissure may be opening just inside of the western wall of the vent's breach, descending down to at least sea level.'

Experts also noted that as there are no eruptions ever recorded from Kadovar, there was little in the way of monitoring for the volcano prior to the new ash emissions.

Even as the neighbouring island of Kopar race to help the remaining residents evacuate, Kopar councilor Tom Kelly announced that 'the clouds are darker and increasing at an alarming rate'.

Flying over the island with Samaritan Aviation, he wrote, 'The volcanic activity has increased dramatically since yesterday (Friday).

'The report we have is that all of the residents of the island have been evacuated and that there has not been any loss of life.'</s>A remote island volcano in Papua New Guinea begins spewing ash into the air, forcing the evacuation of more than 500 residents, media and non-profit groups say.

The ash clouds have been thrown up steadily to a height of about 2,133 metres. (Credit: ABC licensed)

A remote island volcano in Papua New Guinea has begun spewing ash into the air, forcing the evacuation of more than 500 residents, media and non-profit groups have said.

Kadovar Island, a 365-metre tall volcano on the north coast of PNG, was thought to be dormant until it began erupting on January 5.

"It's just a continuous emission of volcanic ash at the moment," Cheyne O'Brien, a forecaster at the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, said.

The ash clouds have been thrown up steadily to a height of 2,133 metres, forming a plume that is travelling west-northwest, he added.

The plume does not yet pose a hazard to aviation, but a change in wind direction could hit operations at PNG's Wewak airport, Ms O'Brien said.

All residents of the island have been evacuated with no loss of life, the United States-based charity Samaritan Aviation that operates seaplanes to remote areas of PNG, said on Facebook.

"We do not have any details yet as to where all of the families have gone and hope to have further information in the near future," the non-profit added.

Reuters could not immediately reach authorities in PNG by telephone for comment.

The population of the island ranges from at least 500 to more than 600, media have estimated.

The eruption may become explosive, bringing a risk of tsunamis and landslides, domestic online media Loop PNG quoted the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory as saying.

There are no confirmed records of a previous eruption of Kadovar, said Chris Firth, a vulcanologist at Macquarie University.

However, scientists speculate it could have been one of two "burning islands" mentioned in the journals of a 17th-century English pirate and maritime adventurer, William Dampier.

Dampier may have recorded the last eruption of Kadovar during a voyage in search of "Terra Australis", the southern continent once thought to be mythical, Mr Firth said.

Vulcanologists are interested to observe its behaviour now, he added.

"It's hard to predict what might happen, as there's nothing to compare it to," he said.
All residents are evacuated, 500 of them to the nearby island of Blup Blup, while the once-dormant Kadovar volcano in the Schouten Islands, Papua New Guinea, erupts for the first known time, sending an ash cloud 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) above sea level.