The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO), established after the 1937 eruption at Rabaul, is responsible for monitoring the activity of the 14 active and 23 dormant volcanoes spread along three volcanic arcs throughout Papua New Guinea and which have produced more than 140 eruptions in the last 200 years. Monitoring is carried out at RVO, 6 "outstation" observatories (Manam, Karkar, Langila, Ulawun, Esa'ala, and Lamington volcanoes) and 1 unmanned telemetered station (Lamington). Image taken on 09/19/94 from STS-64 (STS64-116-064).
In addition to volcano monitoring, the functions of the Rabaul Volcano Observatory include: geologic reconnaissance and tephrastratigraphic studies (e.g. at Rabaul, Billy Mitchell, Loloru, Hargy and Witori), volcanic hazard assessments (e.g. Rabaul, Manam, Karkar, Langila, Ulawun, Balbi, Billy Mitchell, Bagana, Loloru, Lamington, Victory), assistance in the preparation and revision of volcano emergency plans (e.g. Rabaul, Manam, Ulawun), and applied research on the pattern of activity of the monitored volcanoes with a view to the detection of eruption precursors and provision of warnings.
Taking Petrologic Pathways Toward Understanding Rabaul's Restless Caldera
For details about monitoring activities for Rabaul volcano visit the WOVO Directory.
Ulawun is a Decade Volcano under a project which began as part of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR).
Contact information:
Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RV0) P.O. Box 386 Rabaul Papua New Guinea Telephone: (675)92-1699 Telefax: (675)92-1604 Telex: (703)92998 VULCANNote: RVO is a Branch of the Geological Survey of Papua New Guinea (PNG), which itself is a Division of the Department of Minerals and Energy.
Director: Christopher O. McKee, Principal Government Volcanologist
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