February 4, 1878 Eruption of Rabaul

Reference #9675:

1878, February 4. Woman supposedly killed by the first shower of stones from Tavurvur. This is the only fatality recorded, the Matupi people having fled to higher lands for safety.

Reference #414:

1878, February, on the night of the 3rd-4th. There was a very strong earthquake along the coast of Blanche Bay, including at Rabaul. Soon after the earthquake, clouds of steam could be seen rising out of the water along the line joining the Raluan Volcano and the Tawurwur (Ghaie) Volcano. An hour later, the old crater of the Ghaie Volcano exploded with "terrible force." Flames and enormous masses of smoke and ashes were ejected. There were apparently no lave flows. A thick layer of ash and pumice covered the coast and Saint George's Channel. At Ghaie, a new cone was formed. A the site of the underwater eruption, a cone-shaped, but rather flat elevation 20 m high formed out of loose material. This later became Raluan (Baluan) Island. The eruption of the Raluan Volcano lasted three days, during which time total darkness reigned; fishes and turtles died. The eruption of the Ghaie Volcano lasted three weeks. Due to the prevailing northwest winds, the ejecta settled mainly in the sea, and on land only the regions immediately adjoining the volcanoes suffered. Blanche Bay and Saint George's Channel were plugged up with islands of floating pumice for a month.

Reference #2379:

Ghaie Volcano:

Start Date: 1878 Jan 30 (?); Stop Date: 1878 Feb 26 ± 2 days

Eruption Certainty: Confirmed; VEI: 3; Evidence: Historical Observations; Activity Area and Unit: Vulcan Island and Tavurvur.

Raluan Volcano:

Start Date: 1878 Jan 30 (?); Stop Date: 1878 Feb 26 ± 2 days

Eruption Certainty: Confirmed; VEI: 3; Evidence: Historical Observations; Activity Area and Unit: Vulcan Island and Tavurvur