Volcanoes
The soil in Rabaul and the Gazelle Peninsula is rich because it is volcanic soil. Rabaul Town is built on an ancient volcanic crater. It was built by the Germans in 1903 and the German transferred their headquarters from Herbertshohe which is now known as Kokopo to Simpsonhafen which was later called Simpson Harbor Rabaul in 1910. The Germans were defeated by the Australians at Bitapaka near Kokopo during World War I on 11th September 1914.
Rabaul Town and Rabaul Simpson Harbor are surrounded by six volcanoes which provide beautiful natural scenery. Mt. Tavurvur (Matupit) erupt a number of times in 1767, 1791, 1878, 1937, 1941-42 (minor eruptions) and in September 1994 was the worse.
Tourists love to see and take photographs of Tavurvur emitting volcanic ashes. Mt. Mother (Kabiu) is the tallest mountain which stands at 700 meters. Tourists can climb Mt. Mother early in the morning from Matalau Village. Mt. North Daughter (Tavanabatir) where the Rabaul Volcanic Observatory stands provides a beautiful panoramic view of Rabaul Town, Rabaul Simpson Harbor and part of Kokopo.
Mt. Vulcan (Rakaia) which was first created in 1878 when Tavurvur had erupted. It has since erupted twice in May 1937 killing 504 people and again in September 1994 without killing any human beings but totally destroyed Tavana and Valaur Villages.
Prior to the 1994 volcanic eruption, Rabaul used to be known as the “Pearl of the Pacific”.
Mt. Tavurvur (Matupit
Mt. Tavurvur has erupted a couple of times. Its first eruption according to recorded history was in 1878 and created Vulcan Island. It erupted again in 1937 and recently again in 1994.
Mt. South Daughter (Mt. Turagunan)
It is dormant.
Mt. Mother (Mt. Kombiu)
Mt. Mother is dormant and it is 700 meters tall. Tourists can climb Mt. Mother from Matalau Village very early in the morning. It takes about an hour to climb the Mt. Mother.
Mt. North Daughter (Mt. Tavanabatir)
Mt. North Daughter is dormant and the Rabaul Volcanic Observatory is located on it. It provides a panoramic view of Rabaul Town and Rabaul Simpson Harbor.
Mt. Rabalanakaia
Mt. Rabalanakaia also erupted in September in 1994.
Mt. Vulcan (Rakaia)
Vulcan Island was created in 1878 when Mt. Tavurvur erupted. The Island was used as a quarantine station during the German era. In 1937, Mt. Vulcan erupted and killed about 504 people. When it erupted it joined the mainland. In September 1994, Mt. Vulcan erupted after 57 years and tally destroyed two neighboring villages, namely Tavana and Valaur.