PHOTOS: Incredible scenes as PNG volcano spews ash and smoke into sky

A volcano in Papua New Guinea has erupted overnight, with a cloud of smoke and ash billowing from the mountain and lava being shot into the air.

Mt Tavurvur, located in Rabaul, has erupted several times throughout the 20th Century with its last eruption happening last year.

Five people were killed and the local airport was destroyed when the volcano erupted in 1994, however PNG authorities are yet to officially comment on whether this ongoing incident poses a similar threat.