'Desert' of Floating Rock Traps Islands After Undersea Volcanic Eruption

Coastal villages in Papua New Guinea's Manus Province are facing an unprecedented crisis as thick masses of floating volcanic rock, known as pumice, inundate their shores. The unusual phenomenon, resulting from recent eruptions of an active undersea volcano in the Bismarck Sea, has trapped seafaring villagers, cutting off access to essential resources and raising urgent concerns about food, water, and health.

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I was so shocked. We are stuck in the village, unable to travel out to market or go out to fish right now … and it's continuing to build up. It's sort of like a desert … you cannot come in and we cannot go out.

Councillor Raymond Simeku of Baon village described the situation as "like a desert," where residents are stuck, unable to travel for markets or fishing. The pumice buildup is so dense that boats attempting to leave have nearly sunk. Pumice, a lightweight volcanic rock, can block sunlight, harming coral and marine life, further jeopardizing the livelihoods of communities dependent on the sea.

Residents are anxious about dwindling food and water supplies, with many forced to use precious drinking water for bathing due to the inability to access the sea. Access to medical services is also a concern, as villagers typically rely on boats to reach health clinics. The community is calling for immediate government assistance to address the growing crisis.

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Our water supplies are actually running down because so much water has been consumed just for bathing. We need more water tanks to accommodate for water.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape stated that the government is undertaking urgent assessments to understand the impact of the undersea volcanic activity. "Our immediate concern is the safety and wellbeing of island communities in and around Manus, particularly," he said. The government aims to determine the best response and prepare communities for potential worst-case scenarios as the Titan Ridge volcano continues its sporadic eruptions, which began in early May.

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We understand that discharges from this undersea volcanic activity are affecting movement, traffic, and creating uncertainty amongst our people. Our immediate concern is the safety and wellbeing of island communities in and around Manus, particularly.