Ulawun, Stratovolcano in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea

Ulawun is a stratovolcano made from andesite rock in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, rising 2,334 meters above sea level. The cone-shaped mountain shows steep slopes covered in dense rainforest at the base, transitioning to bare volcanic rock toward the summit.

English explorer William Dampier observed an eruption in 1700 during his voyage through the Pacific and recorded this as the first written account. Since then, scientists have documented over twenty eruptions, making the volcano one of the most active in the region.

Ulawun is one of the sixteen Decade Volcanoes, a list drawn up by the IAVCEI of peaks singled out for study because of their destructive history and their proximity to settled areas. Several thousand people live on and around its flanks, and the mountain's eruptions have repeatedly forced evacuations, including more than 5,000 people in June 2019.

Ulawun lies about 130 km southwest of Rabaul, and the 2019 eruption cut the New Britain Highway in three places, so road access can change without notice. Ashfall has reached areas north and northwest of the cone, and flights into Hoskins Airport were cancelled during that event. Check official alerts before travelling and follow evacuation instructions from local authorities.

The summit releases sulfur dioxide continuously, around 7 kilograms per second, accounting for roughly 2 percent of all volcanic emissions worldwide. This release influences air quality in the surrounding area and can be visible from a distance on calm days.