Manam

Manam is an inhabited island located in the Bismarck Sea across the Stephan Strait from the east coast of mainland Papua New Guinea. Only 10 kilometers wide, the island was created from the activity of the Manam Volcano, one of the country’s most active.

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 have died and presently 3,000 are still waiting to be removed from the danger area. On December 11, the threat was downgraded due to a reduction in activity.