Rabaul caldera
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| Rabaul caldera | |
|---|---|
 A truecolour image of Rabaul Caldera from space |
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| Elevation | 688 m (2,257 ft) |
| Location | East New Britain, Papua New Guinea |
| Coordinates | |
| Type | Pyroclastic shield (active) |
| Last eruption | 2008 |
Rabaul caldera is a large volcano situated in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. It derives its name from the town of Rabaul situated inside the caldera. The highest of its multiple peaks is 688 m.
The sub-vent of Tavurvur is the most visibly active, continuously throwing ash. In 1994 it, along with nearby Vulcan erupted and devastated Rabaul, however, due to planning for such a catastrophe, the townsfolk were prepared and only five people were killed. One of the deaths was caused by lightning.
The caldera erupted for several days in March 2008 releasing a plume of ash and water vapour that drifted northwest over the Bismarck Sea. [1]
[edit] References
- ^ Rabaul Volcano, New Britain NASA Earth observatory website. Accessed 20 March 2008]
 Rabaul eruption plume, viewed from the Space Shuttle, September 1994 |
 A space radar image of Rabaul caldera |
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