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Rabaul   »  Eruptive History

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Rabaul

More recent eruptive activity has been reported during 2011. Details can be found in the Monthly or Weekly Reports.

Start Date: 2010  Jul 23  Stop Date: 2010 Jul 25 

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  1?

Area of Activity: Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption

Start Date: 2006  Aug 11  Stop Date: 2010 Jan 31 

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  4?

Area of Activity: Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption
    Lava flow(s)
    Lava dome extrusion
    Damage (land, property, etc.)
    Evacuation

Start Date: 2005  Jan 25  Stop Date: 2006 Feb 17 

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  2

Area of Activity: Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption

Start Date: 2002  Oct 6 (?) Stop Date: 2004 Feb 17 

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  2

Area of Activity: Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption

Start Date: 1995  Nov 28  Stop Date: 2001 Sep 5 ± 4 days

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  2

Lava Volume:  4.5  ±  0.5  x  106 m3

Area of Activity: Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption
    Pyroclastic flow(s)
    Lava flow(s)
    Damage (land, property, etc.)
    Evacuation

Start Date: 1994  Sep 19  Stop Date: 1995 Apr 16 

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  4?

Lava Volume:  4  x  105 m3

Area of Activity: Tavurvur and Vulcan

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Flank (excentric) vent
    Explosive eruption
    Pyroclastic flow(s)
    Lava flow(s)
    Fatalities
    Damage (land, property, etc.)
    Mudflow(s) (lahars)
    Tsunami (giant sea waves)
    Evacuation

Start Date: 1943  Nov 24  Stop Date: 1943 Dec 23 (on or after)

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  2

Area of Activity: Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption

Start Date: 1941  Jun 6  Stop Date: 1942 Mar 31 ± 30 days

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  2

Area of Activity: Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption
    Lava flow(s)
    Damage (land, property, etc.)
    Evacuation

Start Date: 1940  Feb 4 ± 4 days Stop Date: 1940 May 18 

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  1

Area of Activity: Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Crater lake eruption
    Phreatic explosion(s)

Start Date: 1937  May 29  Stop Date: 1937 Jun 2 

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  4?

Tephra Volume:  3.1  x  108 m3

Area of Activity: Vulcan and Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Flank (excentric) vent
    Submarine eruption
    New island formation
    Explosive eruption
    Pyroclastic flow(s)
    Phreatic explosion(s)
    Fatalities
    Damage (land, property, etc.)
    Mudflow(s) (lahars)
    Tsunami (giant sea waves)
    Evacuation

Start Date: 1878  Jan 30 (?) Stop Date: 1878 Feb 26 ± 2 days

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  3

Tephra Volume:  5.1  ±  5.0  x  108 m3

Area of Activity: Vulcan Island and Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Submarine eruption
    New island formation
    Explosive eruption
    Phreatic explosion(s)
    Fatalities
    Damage (land, property, etc.)
    Tsunami (giant sea waves)
    Evacuation

Start Date: 1850 (?)  Stop Date: Unknown

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  2

Area of Activity: Sulfur Creek

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption
    Phreatic explosion(s)
    Fatalities
    Damage (land, property, etc.)

Start Date: 1791  May 22  Stop Date: Unknown

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  2?

Area of Activity: Tavurvur

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption

Start Date: 1767  Sep 10  Stop Date: Unknown

Dating Technique: Historical Records

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  2

Area of Activity: Tavurvur ?

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption

Start Date: 1450 ± 150 years Stop Date: Unknown

Dating Technique: Tephrochronology

Area of Activity: NE caldera rim (Rabalanakia)

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption
    Lava flow(s)

Start Date: 540 AD ± 100 years Stop Date: Unknown

Dating Technique: Radiocarbon (uncorrected)

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI):  6

Tephra Volume:  > 1.1  x  1010 m3

Area of Activity: (Rabaul caldera-forming eruption)

Eruptive Characteristics:
    Central vent eruption
    Explosive eruption
    Pyroclastic flow(s)
    Caldera collapse

Global Volcanism Program — Department of Mineral Sciences — National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

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