Education is a key problem in the remote parts of Papua New Guinea, as well as in Rabaul, a city destroyed from a volcanic eruption. ...more [read all]

Tavur is erupting again! As Ulla reports from a message from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory: "Since August 3rd 8:30 local time Tavurvur (Rabaul/PNG) is active again, ejecting ash clouds up to 700m high. The clouds are so dense that they need 2 hours to clear out." [read all]

During 5-11 August ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose to altitudes of 2.1-3 km. [read all]

3-14 January ash plumes from Rabaul rose to altitudes of 1,7 km. Explosions and incandescence were visible. There were no flights by Air Niugini because of ash fall until 13 January. On January 11 two vents opened at the SW flank. [read all]

It was reported that during 12 and 16-18 November ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur ...more [read all]

Ash plumes were reported during 21-26 October on Rabaul´s caldera. [read all]

RVO reported that during 12-20 October ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose to an altitude of 0.9-2.7 km (3,000-8,900ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NW, S, and SE. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind. During 20-21 October, large explosions occurred and ash plumes rose to altitudes of 1.7-3.7 km (5,600-12,100 ft) a.s.l. A significant amount of ash fell in the area of Rabaul town (3-5 km NW). Continuous incandescence from the vent was observed and loud roaring noises were reported. [read all]

It was reported that ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone continued to be emitted during 1-8 September. Ashfall was also reported in areas downwind. Ash accumulation in Rabaul Town was clear in mid-to-late July and in August; fresh ashfall and re-suspended ashfall due to winds and cars caused "unpleasant" conditions. During 1-6 September, conditions improved due to decreased ashfall, changes in wind patterns, and light rains that inhibited ash re-suspension. Continuous incandescence at the summit was observed, and roaring and rumbling noises were heard. Explosions also ejected incandescent lava fragments. ...more [read all]

Based on analysis of satellite imagery and reports from RVO, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 13-19 August, low-level plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.4 km (5,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WNW and NW. During 16-18 August, RVO reported ashfall in areas downwind. Occasionally incandescence at the summit was observed and roaring noises were heard. Explosions also ejected incandescent lava fragments. [read all]

RVO reported that during 12-18 July, ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone drifted NW and W. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including significant accumulation in Rabaul town (3-5 km NW). ...more [read all]

Ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose to an altitude of 2.2 km and drifted NW, N, E, SE, ...more [read all]

Ash plumes and incandescence were reported from Rabaul´s caldera´s Tavurvur volcano from 31 January to 4 February and hydrogen sulfide gas was smelled. [read all]

24-30 January: White plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose to an altitude of 1.5 km and drifted E and NE. Incandescence at the summit was seen at night. [read all]

 Ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose
to altitudes of 2.7-3.7 km (3,900-15,400 ft) a.s.l. at the time of 29-30
October. Ashfall was reported in Rabaul town. Occasional incandescence
at the summit was observed. [read all]

RVO reported that white vapor plumes rose from Rabaul caldera's
Tavurvur cone during 17-22 October. Ash plumes rose to altitudes of
1.2-4.7 km (3,900-15,400 ft) a.s.l. during 17-18 October and drifted S
and NNW. Ashfall was reported from areas downwind on 17 October. The
ash emissions were intermittently accompanied by roaring noises, and
incandescence at the summit was observed during the reporting period. [read all]

Rabaul Volcano Observatory reported that there were ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone. They  rose to an altitude of 1.2 km on 20
September. [read all]

 White vapor plumes rose from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone from 10-18 September. On 16, 18, and 19 September, occasional ash plumes rose to an altitude of 0.9 km and drifted W or NW. Slight ashfall was reported in areas around. [read all]

RVO reported that ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose to altitudes of 0.9-2.4 km (3,000-7,900 ft) a.s.l. during 22-29 August and drifted NW. Ashfall was reported in Rabaul Town and surrounding areas during 23-29 August. Seismic activity increased to a high level on 25 through 29 August. The ash emissions were accompanied by roaring noises. Incandescence at the summit was observed during the reporting period. ...more [read all]

RVO reported that during 19-20 June, four explosions from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone produced shockwaves that rattled windows of houses in Rabaul Townand surrounding areas. The explosions showered the flanks of the volcano with lava fragments. Ash plumes rose to an altitude of 2.7 km (8,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW. Ashfall was reported from Rabaul Town and surrounding areas.

[read all]

RVO reported that during 29-30 April, ash emissions from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone generated plumes that rose to an altitude of 1.2 km (3,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. During 1-2 May, ash plumes drifted NNW; ashfall was reported from Rabaul town and surrounding areas. Occasional roaring noises were heard and incandescence was observed at night.

[read all]

RVO reported that during 16-25 April, white-to-gray emissions from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone generated plumes that rose a few hundred meters and drifted multiple directions. Based on reports from RVO and satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that a diffuse plume rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. on 18 April and drifted SW. Occasionally during 18-23 April, moderately-sized explosions led to darker gray plumes. During 22-25 April, light ashfall was reported in Rabaul town. Weak roaring noises occasionally accompanied the emissions. A slight glow was seen from crater at night and small amounts of incandescent material were rarely ejected from the crater during 16-23 April. ...more [read all]

Strombolian activity continues at Tavurvur volcano, the active cone inside the Rabaul caldera. Bombs are ejected to 100 m above the crater rim and ash plumes rise to 1-3 km.

...more [read all]

Based on satellite imagery and RVO, the Darwin VAAC reported that diffuse plumes from Rabaul rose to altitudes of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ESE.

[read all]

RVO reported that during 18-26 January, seismic activity at Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone continued at low levels. On 24 and 27-30 January, emissions of steam and a small amount of ash produced plumes that rose to a maximum altitude of 2.7 km (8,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, and E. Roaring noises were occasionally audible. Based on satellite imagery and information from RVO, the Darwin VAAC reported that a small plume was visible on 30 January and drifted NE.

[read all]

RVO reported that during 18-26 January, seismic activity at Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone continued at low levels. On 24 and 27-30 January, emissions of steam and a small amount of ash produced plumes that rose to a maximum altitude of 2.7 km (8,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, and E. Roaring noises were occasionally audible. Based on satellite imagery and information from RVO, the Darwin VAAC reported that a small plume was visible on 30 January and drifted NE.

[read all]

The RVO reported that a few Vulcanian eruptions from Rabaul occurred on 18 October and produced ash plumes to 1 km (3,300 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported from E Rabaul town. Seismicity was at background levels and the rate of ground deformation was low.

[read all]

Tavurvur volcano (Rabaul caldera) entered a more violent phase again. A powerful vulcanian explosion this morning at 10h00 local time produced an ash column that reached 7.6 km altitude.

...more [read all]

After the gant explosion on 6 Oct, probably larger than the eruption in 1994, Tavurvur continues to erupt at much lower intensity, with explosions producing ash plumes not higher than 3 km at the moment. 

[read all]

Tavurvur volcano (Rabaul caldera, Papua New Guinea) had a large explosive eruption on 6 October, 2006, sending a plume of gas and ash to a height of 18 km. Rabaul was receiving moderately heavy ash fall, to the south and west heavy lapilli were falling around the south and south-west parts of the caldera these were ~1mm in diameter, with a few lithics up to 3 cm, about a 1cm has been deposited in the Blue Lagoon-Vulcan sector.  Ashfall was occurring in Kokopo and even Warangoi. Tavurvur was obscured from all directions.

[read all]