Attachments
AMBAE VOLCANO
15°24’0”S 167°50’0”E Summit 4908ft (1496m)
Current Vanuatu Volcano Alert Level: Level 3
Eruptive activity at Ambae is continuing in the minor eruption state; The Alert Level for Ambae volcano remains at Level 3.
The volcanic eruption at Ambae is continuing in the minor eruption state and confined to Lake Voui. New scientific analyses confirm that there is currently no evidence of risk escalation from this activity. As a consequence, the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3. The volcanic eruption is likely to continue in this state. The restricted area of risk is limited within 3 km from the active vent in Lake Voui.
Observations photos taken on 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th November 2017 confirm that the volcanic cone (island) in Lake Voui has been built, the volcanic crater is growing in height and size and style of activity has changed to more frequent explosions and volcanic ash and gas cloud. This eruptive activity consists of ongoing explosions, emission of ash columns and gas from the eruptive vents. The activity at Ambae is like what is seen and experienced at Yasur on Tanna Island. Some explosions will appear more energetic to local population from Ambae who may feel air waves from the larger ones. People from Ambae and neighbouring island may continue to hear some explosions, view volcanic ash and gas columns and glows over the mountain at night. A small-scale eruption continues in Lake Voui at Ambae volcano.
The eruption at Ambae started in September, when the Volcanic Alert Level was raised to Level 3. The volcanic activity has built a volcanic cone (island) in Lake Voui. The cone building phase produced the largest explosions and ashfalls. Some parts of the island experienced ashfalls from that phase of the eruption. The eruptions in mid-September 2017 are similar to those in 2005. Past eruptions (1966, 2005, and 2016) have been short lived and only built tuff cones in the lake. The current eruption in November 2017 is tending to become similar to the 1870 eruption with cone building in the summit caldera.
The style of eruption have changed around 22 September when Geohazards staff observed lava (molten rock) at the surface for the first time. This was a significant change and raised the level of uncertainty about the development of the eruption. The volcanic Alert Level was also raised at that time to Level 4. With more observations and the analysis of seismic, gas, thermal and deformation data by scientists from the Geohazards Division of the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazard Department (VMGD) and the international counterpart, it is confirmed that the volcano has settled in a more stable state of activity, therefore the Alert Level was dropped to Level 3 on 6th October 2017. The current observations are consistent with the Alert Level 3 activity. Level 3 indicates ‘Minor eruption’; Danger on volcanic cones, within caldera and other specific area, possibility of moderate eruption and also chance of flank eruption.
Ambae volcano is a very large volcano and is frequently active. In the recorded history, there have been many eruptions, every 10-50 years over the past 150 years. All have been from the summit craters, except one recorded in 1670’s when a lava flow occurred in the Ndui Ndui area. The current eruption is focused in the summit crater and there are no indications of activity elsewhere on Ambae Island.
This is another reminder to all tourism agencies, local autorities, people of Ambae and the general public **not to access the Danger Zone which is about 3 km radius from the eruptive vent **. In this area flying rocks are expected, volcanic ashes and gases may be more abondant also (See map below). Villages from Ambae and neighboring islands may experience volcanic hazards from gas and ash plumes, especially those exposed to prevailing trade winds direction.
The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department will continue to closely monitor this volcano activity. More information will be provided as available.
For further information, please contact Geohazards Division at the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department at geohazards@meteo.gov.vu or 24686.