Papua New Guinea volcano: Islanders flee worsening eruption

[harrybarracuda]

About 1,500 people are being evacuated from islands off Papua New Guinea, where a long-dormant volcano has started erupting, the Red Cross says.
The volcano on Kadovar island began emitting smoke and ash last week, prompting the evacuation of more than 500 people to nearby Blup Blup island.
But as the eruptions have become more violent, those who fled Kadovar will now have to be taken to the mainland.
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is home to a number of active volcanoes.
Witnesses on Blup Blup, to the north of Kadovar island, reported a large explosion from the volcano on Friday and a fiery red glow coming from the summit. Scientists later detected large amounts of toxic sulphur dioxide emitting from the volcano.
PNG Red Cross Secretary General told Reuters news agency that funds had been made available to help evacuees move to the mainland.
"The people there, as the volcano erupted, they rushed immediately to escape. So they are in immediate need of food, water, shelter and clothing as well," he said.
A dome of lava could be seen on Kadovar, scientists at the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory said, adding that steam clouds were rising to 600m (1,969ft).
Volcanologists say there are no confirmed records of a previous large-scale eruption on Kadovar.

Papua New Guinea volcano: Islanders flee worsening eruption - BBC News

[DrB0b]

Throw a few virgins into the crater, that usually sorts it out.

[harrybarracuda]

But what about the giant ape?

[Wilsonandson]

[sabang]

I visited Rabaul not long after the devastating volcano there- and what a beautiful place it is. Or was (they moved the town afterwards).

But the devastation is amazing- we had to wear gas masks, to see what was left of the Coca Cola bottling plant, and walk the 'streets'. The volcanic ash is the worst thing, and it's nasty stuff. Sharp, corrosive, toxic and downright nasty.

[Latindancer]

Let's hope Blup Blup island is not named for the noise lava makes when it blurts out.

The volcanic ash is the worst thing, and it's nasty stuff. Sharp, corrosive, toxic and downright nasty.

Never knew that....I'd always envisioned it as soft and fluffy, like the ash from fires. Will have to look it up...

[VocalNeal]

Scientists later detected large amounts of toxic sulphur dioxide emitting from the volcano.

Good for the Global Warming, he said. Not in jest.