The city of Rabaul lies buried beneath a thick blanket of ash from the 1994 eruption. Mount Kombiu rises to the west above the deserted streets of the town. Ashfall from Tavurvur volcano during the first few days of the eruption caused widespread damage. Virtually every building in the south part of the town collapsed. Heavy rainfall at the time of the eruption produced lahars that caused additional damage.

Photo by Andy Lockhart, 1994 (U.S. Geological Survey).

This image is made available as a Public Domain Work, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Galleries: Health Effects | Human Impacts | Ash Plumes and Ashfall

Keywords: deposit | tephra | cone | ash | environmental impact | damaged structures | human impacts

Rabaul