Papua New Guinea volcano eruption triggers tsunami fears, Japan assessing risk

The volcano, Mount Ulawan, erupted at 3:30 pm local time (0630 GMT). It was located on the country’s island of New Britain. Following the eruption of volcano, smoke up to the height was 15,000 meters was recorded, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said, citing the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Darwin, Australia.

The risk of a tsunami reaching Japan, along with other possible impact of the volcanic eruption, was being assessed, the agency noted.

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If Japan gets affected by a tsunami, the first waves would be witnessed in the islands of Ogasawara and Izu later on November, JMA said, according to the Associated Press.

The possible size of the tsunami could not be predicted in the immediate period following the volcano eruption, the agency reportedly said. There was no warning or advisory issued on a notable change in sea level by the time the preliminary reports emerged.

The agency of the Papua New Guinea government that monitors natural calamities like earthquake and volcano eruptions did not issue a tsunami warning yet, the Hindustan Times reported, adding that Geoscience Australia – also a government agency – said there no tsunami risks in the waters surrounding Australia. 

There was no tsunami alert issued by the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center as well.

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Updated: 20 Nov 2023, 06:18 PM IST