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Landslide-induced wave in a small volcanic lake: Kasu Tephra Cone, Papua New Guinea

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Abstract

The south crater wall of a Quaternary tephra cone in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea collapsed on 20 April 1999 and sent a 150,000-m3 landslide into its lake. Displacing 5–10% of the lake's volume, the landslide induced a 15-m-high wave which flattened vegetation throughout the crater interior, and broke over a low saddle in the crater's east rim where it destroyed two houses and injured 11 people, killing one.

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References

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Acknowledgments

This work was made possible by the people of Kasu village. Financial support was provided by the Papua New Guinea National Disaster and Emergency Services Organization, the Geological Survey of PNG, and the University of PNG. We thank Dr. S. Elliot, Mr. J. Buleka, and Prof. H. Davies for helpful discussion, and Dr. S. Cronin for formal review.

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Author notes

  1. T. P. Wagner

    Present address: National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22230, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, University of Papua New Guinea, Box 320 University PO, NCD, Papua New Guinea

    T. P. Wagner & R. Kombua

  2. Rabaul Volcano Observatory, P.O. Box 385, Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea

    C. O. McKee & J. Kuduon

Authors
  1. T. P. Wagner
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  2. C. O. McKee
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  3. J. Kuduon
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  4. R. Kombua
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Correspondence to T. P. Wagner.

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Wagner, T.P., McKee, C.O., Kuduon, J. et al. Landslide-induced wave in a small volcanic lake: Kasu Tephra Cone, Papua New Guinea. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 92, 405–406 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-003-0323-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-003-0323-1

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