Comments: The above 'reverse absorption' image shows an effect frequently observed for Manam eruptions - the white halo indicates a much stronger 'ice' signature than the surrounding cumulonimbus tops. The reason for this is that the particles in the eruption cloud are ice/ash aggregates and tend to be smaller than normal ice crystals in the thunderstorm clouds - the smaller particles give a more positive remote sensing signature. In this case, the cloud could be uniquely tracked using this signature for about 12 hours after the eruption.