Tavurvur, a stratovolcano and a sub-vent of the caldera, is the most visibly active, continuously throwing ash.

In 1994 it, and nearby Vulcan, erupted and devastated Rabaul; however, due to planning for such a catastrophe, the townsfolk were prepared and only five people were killed.

One of the deaths was caused by lightning, a feature of volcanic ash clouds.

[5] One eruption over several days in March 2008 released a plume of ash and water vapor that drifted northwest over the Bismarck Sea.

[6] After this eruption, GPS data showed deflation of Tavurvur cone.