Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, 1994

(Related pages: Rabaul & Manam, June1997, Rabaul, September 1999)

Image source: NASA Space Shuttle, 19 September 1994, Image ID STS068-86, cropped

Comments: The magnificant image above shows two levels of ash cloud; the high wedge-shaped cloud is from the more energetic eruption from the Vulcan cone, with a maximum height of approximately 20 km. The lower ash cloud, which can be seen around the base of the eruption column from Vulcan, may stem from the lower level activity from the Tavurvur cone.

Image source: GMS IR, 18-19 September 1994

Comments: The infrared (above) and visible (below) animations of the start of the eruption both show several significant features, including the initial low level plume from Tavurvur, heading northwest. The much larger plume from Vulcan quickly appears, with two components; an apparently high level cloud heading due west, and a possibly lower cloud fanning out to the southwest.

Image source: GMS Visible, 18-19 September 1994

Image source: GMS Visible, 19-20 September 1994

Comments: The visible animation from the second day of the eruption shows interesting wave patterns in the plume, presumably caused by dynamical interactions between the eruption column and the prevailing winds.

Image source: NASA Space Shuttle, 11 October 1994

Comments: The Tavurvur cone remained active during October. This plume appears to be relatively low level, propagating northwards in the prevailing low level winds.

References: Blong & McKee, 1995, 'The Rabaul Eruption 1994; Destruction of a Town", published by Macquarie University, Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program reports, A. Prata (pers. comm.).

TOMS data on this eruption is available from the TOMS Volcanic Image Archive.

(Related pages: Rabaul & Manam, June1997, Rabaul, September 1999)