Rabaul Earthquake Location and Caldera Structure Program

The Rabaul Earthquake Location and Caldera Structure (RELACS) program was part of a project undertaken by the Australian Geological Survey Organisation for the Australian Agency for International Development. The project, known as the PNG-Australia Volcanological Service Support (VSS) Project Phase 2, was designated to provide material assistance and training to the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory following the disastrous 1994 eruption of the Rabaul Volcano in Papau New Guinea.

The RELACS component of the VSS Project aims to improve the capabilities of the RVO to locate and interpret volcano-related earthquake activity near Rabaul. A program of seismic field observation was undertaken in the Rabaul area by a consortium of institutions with significant experience in seismic work, namely the Australian Geological Society (now Geoscience Australia), the Australian National University, the University of Hokkaido, and the University of Wisconsin.

The original report can be accessed here: https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/34976 which contains metadata, equipment info, and shot information. A variety of instruments were used with a mixture of 1 and 3 channel, and short period and broadband instruments, on land and at sea (OBS), all recording continuously at 50 Hz over the course of three distinct stages between August 1997 and Jan 1998.

This data was digitised and reformatted from a collection of 90+ barely readable CD-ROMS dating back to 1997 found long-forgotten on a shelf at ANU with the goal of making this precious dataset available to all. We have attempted to contact the original PIs where possible, all who have replied have been supportive. Please reach out to [e-mail] if you would like any information added or modified.