Monthly report [microform].

Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, 1937-

v. : ill., maps

Monthly

Weekly, 1937-

Began publication with Nov. 12, 1937.

Restricted access. For written permission to access the microfilm apply to the Head, Rabaul Volcano Observatory, P. O. Box 386, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea; Ph. 982 1699 / 982 1656; Fax 982 1004; Email hguria@global.net.pg.

Following the eruptions of Vulcan and Tavurvur in 1937, Dr C.E. Stehn and Dr W.G. Woolnough recommended establishment of an observatory in Rabaul. Norman Fisher, the Territory goverment geologist who was sent to assist them, remained in Rabaul to continue the investigation, publishing a key report in 1939 in the first issue of the Territory of New Guinea's, Geological Bulletin. An observatory was designed by Dr Fisher and built under his supervision in 1940 at its present site on Observatory Ridge, SW from the north Daughter. Dr Fisher was appointed first Director of the Observatory, assisted by Clem Knight. During the Japanese occupation, 1942-1945, the RVO was shut down. A Japanese volcanologist, Dr T. Kizawa, established a new observatory at Sulphur Creek, including seismographic measurements, which was eventually destroyed by Allied bombing. By 1950 the RVO was re-established on Observatory Ridge. The disastrous eruption of Mt Lamington in 1951 prompted wider volcanological operations across the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. In 1975 the operation of the RVO was transferred to the new nation of Papua New Guinea. In 1994 eruptions of Tavurvur and Vulcan destroyed much of Rabaul Town and most of the RVO's monitoring systems. Key monitoring equipment was restored under a grant from the US Government. In 1996 the Australian Government began a major investment program by to upgrade the national PNG volcanological service. The Observatory 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 an unmanned telemetered station (Lamington). In addition to volcano monitoring, the functions of the Rabaul Volcano Observatory include: geologic reconnaissance and tephrastratigraphic studies (e.g. at Rabaul, Loloru, Hargy and Witori), volcanic hazard assessments (e.g. Rabaul, Manam, Karkar, Langila, Ulawun, Balbi, 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.

The reports are made by the Volcanologist and/or Assistant Volcanologists, usually Ts., carbon, c.4pp., signed, covering volcanic activity across the Territory, earthquakes and tremors, seismograph readings, tilt readings, Observatory general, visitors and fieldwork, as follows: Territory of New Guinea, Department of Lands, Surveys, Mines and Forests, Rabaul, Weekly Vocanological Reports, Dec 1937-Oct 1941; Territory of New Guinea, Department of Lands, Surveys, Mines and Forests, Volcanological Reports to Central Administration and Prime Minister's Department (Weekly Report and Special Reports), 1937-1942; Government Secretary, H. Page, Central Administration, Rabaul, Daily Volcanological Report, Jun-Jul 1941; Assistant Volcanologist Rabaul, C.L. Knight, Weekly Report, Jun 1941-Jan 1942; Territory of New Guinea, Volcanological Observatory, Rabaul, Monthly Volcanological Report, 1950-1973; Volcanological Bulletin (weekly and fortnightly), Nov 1954-Jan 1958; Rabaul Bulletin (Geological Survey of Papua New Guinea, Volcanological Section), Nos.1-34, Jan-Dec 1973; PNG, Department of Mining and Petroleum, Geological Survey of Papua New Guinea, Rabaul Volcano Observatory, Monthly Report, 1974-1999, Feb 2005, Jan 2007.

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August 20, 2008