VOLCANOES – ACTIVE VS DORMANT

In this wonderful capture by Taro Taylor we see the highly active Mount Tavurvur, a volcano that lies near Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. It is a sub-vent of the Rabaul caldera and lies on the eastern rim of the larger feature. Mount Tavurvur is the most well known volcano in Rabaul caldera, and has erupted as recently as January 2009.

To the right of Tavurvur is Mount Turangan, whose lack of spewing ash provides great contrast to its temperamental neighbour. If the Earth had an on/off switch, perhaps this is what it would look like!