Evidence from past eruptions indicates large amounts of tephra and lava were produced.

An ash warning for aircraft was distributed by the Darwin office of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology on 19 October, by which time a second new vent had appeared.

Ash was apparently drifting to the north-west on 19 October and had contaminated some village water supplies.

By January 2006, the main activity was limited to volumes of white vapour being discharged from the new vents.

In August 2002, the Pago volcano to the east of Kimbe erupted and caused 12,000 people to seek refuge in care centres.