File:Eruption of Kadovar, Papua New Guinea (MODIS 2018-03-03).jpg

English: On January 5, 2018, Kadovar volcano in Papua New Guinea erupted for the first-known time in recorded history. Hundreds of people living on the flanks of Kadovar evacuated to nearby islands, according to news reports. But as the eruption and tsunami risk grew, the evacuees had to relocate again (along with thousands more) from Bam and Blup Blup islands to the mainland.

The volcano suffered a dome collapse on February 1, and the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that continuing lava flow resulted in the connection of a reemerged lava island to the coast of Kadovar within a few days after the collapse. Through most of February, continuous plumes of white vapor were reported rising from both the main crater and south-east coastal vent, punctuated by dense ash emission. Booming noises have been reported between February 20 and 22 along with incandescence. Ash plumes have risen to at least 370 m (1.214 feet) above the island. RVO also reports a sulfur odor reached Blup Blup Island, 15 km (9 mi) northeast of Kadovar several times in February.

According to a news report by Radio New Zealand Pacific (RNZ) on February 21, the resettled Kadovar community was recently told by Governor of East Sepik Province, Allan Bird, that a return to the island was not viable. Mr. Bird described the island as “just a rock now” with all the top soil fallen off. The possibility of agriculture, or even the ability to build houses on the remnant rocky terrain is remote.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite acquired a true-color image of eruption on February 24, 2018. A plume of light gray ash, steam, and gas can be seen rising up from Kadovar Island and blowing generally eastward. The tan plumes seen in the water between Kadovar and the mainland of Papua New Guinea are not volcanic in origin, but are sediment spilling into the ocean from the Sepik and Ramu Rivers.