Oceanic Expeditions Key Target -- Ritter Active Volcanic Island
‘The Island all Night vomited Fire and Smoak very amazingly; and at every Belch we heard a dreadful Noise like Thunder, and saw a flame of fire after it, the most terrifying that I ever saw’
William Dampier, March 25th, 1700
March 13th 1888, five cubic kilometers of the Island of Ritter suddenly fell into the sea in the largest lateral collapse of a volcanic Island in historic times. This massive geologic event triggered tsunamis tens of meters high (15-20m) and sent them crashing into the surrounding Islands with devastating effect. Near by, Sakar and Umboi Islands were completely denuded of vegetation to 15 meters (amsl). All but a fraction of Ritter fell into the sea in a massive Ocean embraced avalanche. The debris field of this catastrophic event is traceable to this day as it extends some 50 nautical miles to the northwest through the abyssal depths of the Bismarck Sea.
Oceanic Expeditions ‘HEADHUNTER’ 2009
The OE team intends to complete our exploration of this amazing place, this Oceanic Relic of past Geologic Calamity, Ritter Island!!
We will include an Exploratory Landing Party to put ashore near the center of the west Caldera shoreline abutting a large group of rocks piled along the water line. Then a series of exploratory dives starting with the group of islets, which comprise the southern tip of this impressive Oceanic feature.
Next we will observe the submarine structure of the northern tip of Ritter as she juts out toward near by Sakar.
Finally weather permitting we will explore the exposed and shear eastern side of the Island
with depths that plummet quickly to 200-300 fathoms.
Ritter Island Volcano Report June 2009 Expedition OE thanks scientist and taskforce member Steve Saunders for his report following the OE expedition to Ritter, even if your not into Volcanoes Steve's report is full of interesting insights about this unique island's history as the largest recorded oceanic eruption and landslide event.
Click Here Ritter Photos & Extensive Captions
Ritter Largest Recored Island Collapse,
Reports and Map Images Courtesy Ritter Volcano Experts Simon Day and Steven Saunders
‘Hear Be Dragons’