Logo link to homepage

Report on Ambae (Vanuatu) — 2 February-8 February 2022


Ambae

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 2 February-8 February 2022
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2022. Report on Ambae (Vanuatu) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 2 February-8 February 2022. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (2 February-8 February 2022)

Ambae

Vanuatu

15.389°S, 167.835°E; summit elev. 1496 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


On 5 February the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported that the cone in Ambaeā€™s Lake Voui continued to grow and produce steam, gas, and ash emissions. Images from two webcams (in Saratamata, Ambae Island and in Enar, Pentecost Island) showed the plumes rising above the summit and drifting S and SE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5) and the public was warned to stay outside of the Danger Zone defined as a 2-km radius around the active vents in Lake Voui and away from drainages during heavy rains.

Geological Summary. The island of Ambae, also known as Aoba, is a massive 2,500 km3 basaltic shield that is the most voluminous volcano of the New Hebrides archipelago. A pronounced NE-SW-trending rift zone with numerous scoria cones gives the 16 x 38 km island an elongated form. A broad pyroclastic cone containing three crater lakes (Manaro Ngoru, Voui, and Manaro Lakua) is located at the summit within the youngest of at least two nested calderas, the largest of which is 6 km in diameter. That large central edifice is also called Manaro Voui or Lombenben volcano. Post-caldera explosive eruptions formed the summit craters about 360 years ago. A tuff cone was constructed within Lake Voui (or Vui) about 60 years later. The latest known flank eruption, about 300 years ago, destroyed the population of the Nduindui area near the western coast.

Source: Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD)