Papers of vulcanological work in Papua New Guinea, 1950-1972 [microform]
- Bib ID:
- 5781612
- Format:
- Manuscript and Microform
- Author:
- Taylor, G. A. M. (George Anthony Morgan), 1917-1972
- Related Online Resources:
- PMB online catalogue
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- Description:
-
- [1950-1972]
- 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.
- Series:
- PMB (Australian National University. Pacific Manuscripts Bureau) ; 1362.
- Summary:
-
Most of the documents microfilmed were gathered by Dr R.W. Johnson from Tony Taylor's office at the Bureau of Mineral Resources building in Canberra following Taylor's death in 1972. Documents from other sources were subsequently added to the original "office" collection. The papers consist of letters, interviews and the reports of eye witnesses giving their observations of the eruption at Mount Lamington on 21 January 1951; notes and correspondence on and from Manam Island during eruptions from 1955 to 1960; a comprehensive curriculum vitae written by Taylor quite late in life, probably in late 1971 or 1972; and, field notes made at Manam Island in the days immediately before Taylor's death.
- Biography/History:
-
George Anthony Morgan (Tony) Taylor was born in Moree, New South Wales in 1917 and educated at Maitland High School and Sydney Boys’ High School. After matriculation Taylor worked for BHP as an analytical chemist. He enlisted with the Second AIF in 1942, based mainly in Queensland. From May 1945-October 1946 he was posted to New Britain where his interest in volcanoes originated. Following his discharge from the Army in 1947, he completed a Bachelor of Science degree and joined the Bureau of Mineral Resources as a geologist. He was posted to Rabaul in 1950 where his first task was to re-establish the Volcanological Observatory which had been destroyed during the war.
Taylor also conducted surveillance work at Sangara Plantation following the eruption of Mount Lamington in 1951, for which he earned the George Cross award. He wrote a comprehensive report on the Mount Lamington eruption, published by the Bureau of Mineral Resources in 1958. In 1961, Taylor was promoted to the position of senior resident geologist, Port Moresby. He spent a considerable amount of his time on field work, taking part in the investigation of the eruption of Ulawun in New Britain while continuing his long-term study on Manam volcano. Taylor died on 19 August 1972 from a heart attack on the beach at Manam Island, having just walked back from the top of the volcano.
- Notes:
- Microfilm copy of originals held in private ownership.
- Reproduction:
- Microfilm. Canberra, A.C.T. : Produced for the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, Australian National University. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.
- Subject:
-
- Taylor, G. A. M. (George Anthony Morgan), 1917-1972 -- Archives
- Australia. Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics -- Officials and employees -- Archives
- Volcanologists -- Australia -- Archives
- Volcanologists -- Papua New Guinea -- Archives
- Volcanoes -- Papua New Guinea
- Volcanological research -- Papua New Guinea
- Time Coverage:
- 1950-1972
- Occupation:
- Geologists
- Other authors/contributors:
- Australian National University. Pacific Manuscripts Bureau
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
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- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
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