In a dramatic volcanic event, Mount Ulawun on New Britain island in the Pacific erupted suddenly Monday — sending a towering ash column estimated at up to 15 km into the sky and prompting swift evacuations, flight cancellations, and heightened concern among neighbouring regions.
Authorities quickly mobilised disaster-response teams, ordering the closure of nearby airports including Hoskins, and coordinating the relocation of thousands of residents from high-risk zones to safety.
Ash fallout was reported to settle on nearby settlements and plantations, coating buildings, roofs and vegetation — a stark reminder of the eruption’s reach.
Though the eruption has since subsided, experts caution that more ash emissions are possible as the volcano remains active; travel and air-quality alerts stay in force while authorities continue monitoring volcanic activity
