VOLCANIC ERUPTION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 446, 31 May 1937, Page 5

VOLCANIC ERUPTION

NEW GUINEA SHAKEN EVACUATION OF RABAUL Island Disappears; A New One Forced Up Press Association —Copyright. Received May 31, 11.30 a.m. Sydney, May 31. A big volcanic eruption, probably a submarine one, is in progress in New Guinea. Heavy earthquake shocks shook the island all day on Saturday. They began on Friday. The wireless station was abandoned on Saturday night as the volcanic fumes were too much for the operators. A Sydney resident received a message on Saturday night from a relative in Rabaul stating that a tremendous explosion had occurred in the harbour, from which mud and stones had been hurled high into the air. The blast was followed by a great movement of water, which receded 200 yards from the shore. Local residents fled, fearing the water would return in a tidal wave. Prior to that a wireless message from Rabaul said: “A great eruption in Blanche Bay adjacent to Vulcan Island occurred at 2.30 p.m. yesterday, following continual earth tremors since dawn. Great excitement is prevailing in Che township and district.” Intermittent messages, sent obviously under terrifying conditions, said the seafront was undergoing a startling change. The I water level dropped eight feet and in 10 minutes returned, withcut, however, the expected tidal wave. Vulcan Island was thrown up out of the sea in one night about sixty years ago by a subterranean volcanic disturbance. The Administrator of New Guinea, Brigadier-General McNicoll, is at present absent from Rabaul, being on a visit of inspection to the Morobe goldfields. Raubaul is threatened by one of the most severe volcanic disturbances in the history of the territory. As a tidal wave is feared, the population of 4500 have been evacuated, except for 20 white men and some native police, who remain to send on what food is available. Two volcanoes were in active eruption yesterday, and Rabaul is inches deep in pumice. Thick sulphur fumes also swept the town. According to information received by the Defence Department in Melbourne, one island has disappeared and a new island has been forced up as a result of the submarine disturbance. Thus far no los of life is reported, but it is feared that a tidal wave may wipe out the town. Landslides have blocked the roads to Kckopo, 50 miles from Rabaul, and the evacuation has been accomplished by sea. The Morseby, with food and medical supplies, will arrive at Rabaul in three or four days. The extent of the property damage is not known.