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Volcano erupts in Papua New Guinea
01:44 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Mount Tavurvur spews a tower of ash 60,000 feet into the sky

The volcano is situated near the township of Rabaul on the island of New Britain

Tavurvur erupted in 1994 along with another nearby volcano, destroying Rabaul

CNN  — 

A volcano erupted in Papua New Guinea on Friday, spurting ash tens of thousands of feet into the sky.

The eruption of Mount Tavurvur on the island of New Britain began early Friday, said Craig Earl-Spurr, a meteorologist at the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Australia.

The volcano spewed a thick tower of ash that reached as high as 60,000 feet above sea level.

Small side vent on the NW shore of Bogoslof Island formed during one of the later eruptions. Waves can now spill over a section of beach into this small pool. Bogoslof Island aerial recon opportunity courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and U.S.C.G Cutter Mellon.
Small side vent on the NW shore of Bogoslof Island formed during one of the later eruptions. Waves can now spill over a section of beach into this small pool. Bogoslof Island aerial recon opportunity courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and U.S.C.G Cutter Mellon.
Alaska Volcano Observatory
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Recently active volcanoes

Dramatic photos posted on social media showed Tavurvur belching fire and ash from across a bay. The volcano is situated only a few kilometers from the township of Rabaul.

In 1994, Tavurvur erupted at the same time as nearby Mount Vulcan, destroying Rabaul.

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