Rabaul Update: October 4, 1994

Summary of telephone conversation between CVO staff and the USGS/VDAP team at the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) at 1430 hr PDT on Tuesday, October 4, 1994.

Eruptive activity at Tavurvur is continuing at about the same level as yesterday. Ashfall in Rabaul is a nuisance rather than a hazard at this time.
Seismicity includes mostly small explosion events at Tavurvur every 1-2 minutes. The recorded signals look like shallow LP events.
Yesterday, the team installed an electronic tiltmeter and a seismometer at Matupit Island. Data from both instruments are being recorded at the Observatory.
The team plans to install a seismometer near Vulcan today. Access will be by road, not helicopter.
The RVO staff thinks that the strongest eruptive activity in this episode is probably over, although Tavurvur could remain active for months to years.
The next update from the VDAP team is scheduled for Thursday, October 6 PDT, with immediate updates if conditions warrant.