Volcano's eruption shakes Rabaul

A volcanic eruption on the Papua New Guinea island of New Britain has sent ash plumes 18 kilometres into the air.

Mount Tavurvur, on the outskirts of the former provincial capital Rabaul, erupted around 8.45am local time yesterday with a blast that shattered windows up to 12 kilometres from the caldera.

"It was quite scary, but it's quiter now and has quietened considerably through the day," Rabaul Volcanological Observatory chief surveyor Steve Saunders said.

In 1994, a large eruption on Mt Tavurvur and the nearby Vulcan peak destroyed much of Rabaul, covering the airport and much of the town with ash, and forcing the construction of a new capital, Kokopo, 20 kilometres away.

PNG's Mining Department says volcano bulletin that ash is falling on Kokopo, causing power and phone cuts.

Mr Saunders says magma had been welling up inside the 688 metre peak since 2005 and contained large amounts of gas, which accounts for the explosive force of the eruption.

"Today looks like the activity it has been building up to, so it should fall off now," he said.

Mr Saunders says vulcanologists expect the peak to quieten quickly.

However, he says the volcano is still surrounded by gas and dust, making it hard to assess damage amid rumours lava had flowed from a previously unknown vent.

There are no reports of death or injuries.

Papua New Guinea lies on the Pacific Ocean "ring of fire", and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common.

- Reuters