Volcanoes of PNG - 2009 (25th August, 2009)

PNG Volcanoes 2009 ..........................................................................................................

Renowned for its mountainous rages and rugged terrains, Papua New Guinea contains the most active volcanoes in the South West Pacific. The volcanoes strech in an arc from the north coast of New Guinea near the border with Indonesia, to Bougainville Island in the east.

The PNG volcanoes were formed as a consequence of the Australian and Pacific plates colliding (along with several other smaller plates). Active and famous volcanoes in Papua New Guinea include, Manam, Karkar, Lamington, Langila, Ulawun, Tavurvur and Bagana.

About two thirds of the world’s visible volcanoes are located on the boundary of the Pacific plate. Eighty are located within Papua New Guinea (PNG). Fourteen of these are active, 22 dormant, the remainder being extinct.

The fourteen active ones have erupted within the last 150 years. Of these, five (Tavurvur, Manam, Karkar, Ulawun and Lamington) are high-risk volcanoes situated near significant numbers of people whose lives and property would be threatened if they were to erupt. From previous experience, the most devastating of them all, according to history was Mt Lamington in Oro Province. The year was 1951. It was at about 10:40am on the 21st of January when it erupted. An estimate of 3000 - 4000 lives were lost on that fatal day.

Today, curious vulcanologists and like-minded tourists from all over the world continue to frequently visit the areas.

As an indicative of approval of the interest generated over the years, Post PNG Philatelic Bureau has featured volcanoes as a stamp issue in 2009.

Retail price K13.55

First Day Cover with Stampset