World Map › Major Eruptions › Rabaul (Tavurvur) 1850
Historic Eruption
1850 Eruption of Rabaul (Tavurvur)
1850 · Caldera · Papua New Guinea
In 1850, Rabaul (Tavurvur) in Papua New Guinea erupted. The volcano rises to 688 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 2 out of 8, that of a explosive eruption ejecting more than 1 million m³ of material. The exact death toll is not known. NOAA estimates that it killed between 101 and 1,000 people. Most deaths were caused by ash and tephra fall.
- Date
- 1850
- Volcano
- Rabaul (Tavurvur)
- Volcano Type
- Caldera
- Elevation
- 688 m
- Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 2 out of 8
- Estimated Deaths
- 101 to 1,000 deaths
- Main Causes of Death
- Ash and Tephra
Other Significant Eruptions of Rabaul (Tavurvur)
- 1994September 1994 Eruption · VEI 3 · Ash and Tephra, Tsunami, Lightning5 deaths
- 1990June 1990 Eruption · Volcanic Gases6 deaths
- 1937May 1937 Eruption · VEI 4 · Pyroclastic Flows, Ash and Tephra, Tsunami, Indirect Effects (Famine, Disease)507 deaths
- 1878February 1878 Eruption · VEI 3 · Ash and Tephra1 death
- 683683 Eruption · VEI 6
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database (doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH) · Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program