GUNUNG · Papua New Guinea
Ulawun
Ulawun (Nakanai: 'Ta Vui' — Sang Ayah)
Source
Foto satelit dari ISS (Ekspedisi 34) memperlihatkan tiga gunung api Pulau New Britain: Bamus (kiri), Ulawun (tengah), dan Lolobau (kanan) — foto kawasan, bukan foto spesifik puncak Ulawun. Photo: source
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Source: Open-Meteo
Information
- Elevation
- 2.334 m
- Country
- Papua New Guinea (PG)
- Location / Range
- Bismarck Volcanic Arc, New Britain Island, West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea — about 130 km southwest of Rabaul
- Mountain type
- Active basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano — the highest peak on New Britain Island, one of the world's 15 Decade Volcanoes
- Volcanic?
- Yes — volcano
- Coordinates
- -5.0510, 151.3313
- Difficulty
- Very difficult and high-risk: a narrow, steep trail to the summit, with the top 1,000 m unvegetated and very steep; the most active volcano in Papua New Guinea, with sudden explosive eruptions (Strombolian–sub-Plinian); a licensed local guide from the landowning village is MANDATORY
- Best Season
- May–October (relative dry season). Always check the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) alert level before going — a sudden eruption can close the trail at any time
- Permits & Rules
- Climbing MUST be with a local guide from the landowning community — solo climbing is not allowed. Walindi Plantation Resort (±1 hour from Hoskins Airport/Kimbe) is the main operator that organizes climbs; departure at 07:30 to allow enough time to finish the round trip before dark
- Hazards
- Sudden explosive eruptions (Strombolian to sub-Plinian); pyroclastic flows that can reach far from the crater; ash columns up to 15–19 km (the 2019 and 2023 eruptions); ashfall and ballistic projectiles; continuous SO₂ degassing (±7 kg/s, about 2% of global volcanic SO₂ emissions). Last major eruptions: June 2019 (VEI 4, 6,800 evacuated) and November 2023 (Alert Level 4). At active Alert Level 4 the whole area is evacuated and access closed
Description
Ulawun is an active stratovolcano rising 2,334 m in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea — the highest peak on New Britain island and one of 15 internationally designated Decade Volcanoes. In Nakanai mythology it is known as 'The Father', standing as a symmetrical cone alongside its neighbours Bamus ('South Son') and Lolobau. Ulawun is one of Papua New Guinea's most active volcanoes, with over 22 recorded eruptions since 1700, first documented by explorer William Dampier. The massive 2019 sub-Plinian eruption (VEI 4) produced an ash column of 19 km, displaced over 6,800 people, and buried food gardens; the November 2023 eruption sent ash to 15 km. The Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program monitors Ulawun as one of the Pacific's most hazardous volcanoes. A summit climb is possible via steep narrow dirt paths in a full-day round trip from Kimbe/Hoskins, but only with a mandatory licensed local guide — Walindi Plantation Resort is the main organising operator. The upper 1,000 m is unvegetated and extremely steep. Current alert status (Level 1 as of mid-2025) permits visits, but conditions can change without warning.
Gallery
Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.
Routes
Jalur Puncak via Walindi Plantation Resort (Satu-satunya Rute Wisata)
Sangat berat dan berbahaya — jalur tanah sempit yang sangat curam; 1.000 m puncak tidak bervegetasi; WAJIB dipandu; risiko erupsi mendadak kapan sajaThe only organised tourist route to the summit of Ulawun (2,334 m), departing from Walindi Plantation Resort near Kimbe/Hoskins in West New Britain, Papua New Guinea. The climb begins at 07:30 to allow sufficient daylight for the round trip. The trail passes through tropical forest on the lower flanks before entering the steep, completely unvegetated upper 1,000 m to the summit. Walindi Plantation Resort arranges licensed local guides from the land-owning village — climbing without a guide is strictly prohibited. Before any attempt, climbers must check the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) Alert Level: Level 1–2 generally permits visits; Level 3–4 means active evacuation and closure. During quiet periods (Level 1 as of mid-2025), the volcano continuously vents white steam and sulphurous gas from the summit crater.
SourceClimbing Experiences
Ulawun, one of 15 Decade Volcanoes worldwide, draws two very different types of visitors: volcanologists and adventurous travellers wanting to climb or observe an active volcano at close range. Available accounts describe the climb as a full day's adventure from Kimbe/Hoskins, with dramatic conditions as the mountain is always 'breathing' — venting sulphurous steam even in calm periods. More commonly, Ulawun appears in international media when it erupts: the 2019 ash column reaching 19 km and the November 2023 eruption both made global news. The Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program records over 22 eruptions since 1700 and actively monitors its activity. A summit climb is currently possible via steep dirt paths guided from Walindi Plantation Resort, but climbers must check the Rabaul Volcano Observatory alert level before attempting.
References
The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.