Lava begins flowing from Papua New Guinea volcano

A volcano in northern Papua New Guinea is erupting streams of lava.

The eruption comes three weeks after thousands of residents were evacuated from nearby villages when it began spewing smoke and ash.

Rabaul Volcano Observatory seismologist, Ima Itikarai, said the lava from Mount Pago was being contained in a natural passage and was not threatening villages.

"Lava is flowing from one of the small vents that was formed," Itikarai said. "But the lava is still contained within the corridor, so it's not a threat."

Pago had been dormant since 1933 before it blew its top three weeks ago.

The volcano is some 500 kilometres (310 miles) northeast of the capital city of Port Moresby.

The refugees are now being cared for in emergency camps about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the volcano.

Relief supplies for the refugees have arrived from Japan.

Papua New Guinea, a Pacific nation of five million, lies on the Pacific's volcanic belt known as the "Ring of Fire."

Rabaul, on the northern tip of New Britain, was devastated in 1994 when two volcanoes on either side of the town erupted, forcing the evacuation of 30,000 residents.