World Map › Major Eruptions › Rabaul (Tavurvur) 1937
Historic Eruption
1937 Eruption of Rabaul (Tavurvur)
29 May 1937 · Caldera · Papua New Guinea
On 29 May 1937, Rabaul (Tavurvur) in Papua New Guinea erupted. The volcano rises to 688 m. Its Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) is 4 out of 8, that of a cataclysmic eruption ejecting more than 0.1 km³ of material. It killed at least 507 people. Most deaths were caused by pyroclastic flows, ash and tephra fall, the tsunami and indirect effects (famine, disease). The eruption triggered a tsunami with waves up to 2.5 m. It is associated with a magnitude 0 earthquake.
- Date
- 29 May 1937
- Volcano
- Rabaul (Tavurvur)
- Volcano Type
- Caldera
- Elevation
- 688 m
- Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Explosivity Index (VEI)
- 4 out of 8
- Deaths
- 507
- Homes Destroyed
- 1 to 50
- Estimated Damage
- less than 1 million US dollars
- Main Causes of Death
- Pyroclastic Flows, Ash and Tephra, Tsunami, Indirect Effects (Famine, Disease)
- Triggered Tsunami
- 1937 Tsunami · 2.5 m
- Associated Earthquake
- M 0
Other Significant Eruptions of Rabaul (Tavurvur)
- 1994September 1994 Eruption · VEI 3 · Ash and Tephra, Tsunami, Lightning5 deaths
- 1990June 1990 Eruption · Volcanic Gases6 deaths
- 1878February 1878 Eruption · VEI 3 · Ash and Tephra1 death
- 18501850 Eruption · VEI 2 · Ash and Tephra
- 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