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Rabaul Volcano - John Seach
Rabaul is one of the most active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea.
Its proximity to large population makes it one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Melanesia.
Year |
Volcanic Activity |
1983 |
Large increases in seismicity and
ground deformation continue for 10 years. |
1984 |
Large earthquake swarm accompanied
by rapid uplift. |
1985 |
Seismic activity, ground deformation
at low levels. |
1986 |
Seismicity increases. |
1987 |
Low seismicity. |
1988 |
Weak seismicity. |
1989 |
Increase in seismicity; inflation
of volcano. |
1990 |
Seismicity low. |
1991 |
Continued low-level seismicity; slight
uplift. |
1992 |
Seismic swarm; uplift over broad
area. |
1993 |
Seismic activity remains high; uplift
of caldera center. |
1994 |
Major eruption sends plume to 18
km and covers Rabaul town with ash. |
1995 |
Explosive eruptions from Tavurvur. |
1996 |
Tavurvur eruption continues; seismic
activity increases. Tavurvur's 4-5 October eruptions yield the largest
lava flow at volcano in over 200 years. |
1997 |
Plumes up to 7 km altitude, lava
fountaining. New eruptive phase begins in late December. |
1998 |
Ash emissions, pyroclastic flows,
and inflation during March. |
1999 |
Mild, intermittent Vulcanian activity
at Tavurvur, Small pyroclastic flows. |
2000 |
increased summit explosive activity
in June, Ashfall during August-October most abundant since 1995. |
2001 |
Ash columns to 1.5 km, ashfall, and
tremor. |
2002 |
Explosions send ash to ~4 km altitude. |
2003 |
Continued ash eruptions from three
vents at Tavurvur, ashfall in Rabaul Town. |
2004 |
Ash falls 30 km to the E. |
2005 |
Ash emissions recommenced on 25th
January, reaching 500 m above the summit. In July, ash emissions to 10,000
ft. |
2006 |
A large eruption on 7th October.
Ash to 60,000 ft. |
2007 |
Mild eruptive activity. |
2008 |
Ash emissions in January. High seismicity and ashfall on Kokopo in February. Large explosion in March rattled windows in Rabaul town. |