Rabaul Volcanological Observatory

The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO) is the primary volcano monitoring institution for East New Britain Province, based on the Gazelle Peninsula of New Britain island in Papua New Guinea. It is responsible for observing volcanic and seismic activity across the region.

RVO is primarily a scientific and monitoring facility rather than a tourist attraction. It maintains monitoring stations and issues warnings for active centers in the Rabaul caldera area, notably the cone volcanoes that lie adjacent to Rabaul town.

The observatory has monitored the Rabaul caldera and its cone volcanoes through multiple eruptive episodes. The powerful 1994 eruptions of Tavurvur and Vulcan caused extensive damage to Rabaul town and disrupted local operations, prompting many services to move to Kokopo.

The observatory sits in or near Rabaul township on the northeastern coast of New Britain island, on the Gazelle Peninsula of East New Britain Province. Kokopo, which became the province’s administrative centre after 1994, is nearby to the southeast.

• Monitoring role: The observatory operates regional seismic, gas and deformation monitoring networks to track activity at nearby volcanoes
• 1994 eruption impact: The 1994 eruption of Tavurvur and Vulcan heavily affected Rabaul and led to many operations and administrative functions relocating to nearby Kokopo