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Active Volcanoes of Vanuatu

Ambrym | Aneityum | Aoba | East Tanna Volcano | Emae | Epi | Fatmalapa | Gaua | Kuwae | Lopevi | Melkum | Mere Lava | Merig | Mota | Motlav | North Vate | Paama Island | Pumpan | Suretamatai | Traitor's Head | Unnamed | Unnamed 16.992°S/168.592°E | Ureparapara | William | Yasur
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The Vanuatu archipelago in the South Pacific is not only one of the most unspoilt and intact places of the earth, but also hosts some of the most spectacular volcanoes.
The Vanuatu archipelago contains many active volcanoes including Ambae, Ambrym, Lopevi, and Yasur, the Stromboli counterpart of the Mediterranean. Vanuatu's island arc is the result of a north-south subduction zone streching from the Matthew and Hunter islands in the south to Tinakula volcano in the Solomon Islands in the north.
Its friendly inhabitants are strongly rooted in their extotic traditional culture and welcome visitors warmheartedly as almost nowhere else. Vanutatu's tropical islands are not only the perfect location for a relaxing tropical holiday, but also offer the possibility for adventurous expeditions to some of the most active and spectacular volcanoes of the world, including the frequently active lava lakes of Ambrym and the famous, constantly erupting volcano Yasur on the Island of Tanna.

Volcano list

Ambrym

(shield volcano 1334 m (4,377 ft))
The crater of Benbow (Ambrym)
The crater of Benbow (Ambrym)
Ambrym is a large basaltic volcano with a 12-km-wide caldera. It is not only one of the most active volcanoes of Vanuatu, but in the world. Its most active craters often contain small lava lakes. [more info]

Aneityum

(Stratovolcanoes 852 m / 2,795 ft)
[more info]

Aoba

(Shield volcano 1496 m / 4,908 ft)
Aoba, also known as Ambae, is a massive 2500 cu km basaltic shield volcano that is the most voluminous volcano of the New Hebrides archipelago. [more info]

East Tanna Volcano

(Stratovolcano 552 m / 1811 ft)
[more info]

Emae

(Complex 629 m / 2064 ft)
[more info]

Epi

(Stratovolcanoes 833 m / 2,733 ft)
[more info]

Fatmalapa

(Stratovolcano(es) 500 m / 1640 ft)
[more info]

Gaua

(stratovolcano 797 m / 2,615 ft)
Gaua is one of the most remote and most active volcanoes of the Vanuatu archipel, located on the island with the same name in the West Banks island group atht enorthern end of the archipelago. Its most recent eruption started in Sep 2009 from Mt Garet inside the caldera lake and ... [more info]

Kuwae

(Caldera -2 m / - 7 ft)
[more info]

Lopevi

(stratovolcano 1413 m (4,636 ft))
The majestic cone of Lopevi volcano from the air
The majestic cone of Lopevi volcano from the air
Lopevi is one of Vanuatu's most active volcanoes. It forms a steep cone rising to more than 1400 m from the sea and often has eruptions from the summit crater or flank vents. The island was evacuated following major eruptions in 1939 and 1960. [more info]

Melkum

(Stratovolcano(es) 758 m / 2487 ft)
[more info]

Mere Lava

(Stratovolcano 1028 m / 3,373 ft)
[more info]

Merig

(Stratovolcano 125 m / 410 ft)
[more info]

Mota

(Stratovolcano 411 m / 1348 ft)
[more info]

Motlav

(Stratovolcano 411 m / 1,348 ft)
[more info]

North Vate

(Stratovolcanoes 594 m / 1,949 ft)
[more info]

Paama Island

(Complex 544 m / 1785 ft)
[more info]

Pumpan

(Stratovolcano 802 m / 2631 ft)
[more info]

Suretamatai

(Complex volcano 921 m / 3,022 ft)
[more info]

Traitor's Head

(Stratovolcano 837 m / 2,746 ft)
[more info]

Unnamed

(Submarine -551 m / -1808 ft)
[more info]

Unnamed 16.992°S/168.592°E

(Stratovolcanoes 216 m / 709 ft)
[more info]

Ureparapara

(Stratovolcano 764 m / 2507 ft)
[more info]

William

(Stratovolcano 886 m / 2907 ft)
[more info]

Yasur

(stratovolcano 361 m (1,184 ft))
Strombolian activity at Yasur volcano
Strombolian activity at Yasur volcano
Yasur is the most well known volcanoes of Vanuatu and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Yasur is known for its spectacular persistent strombolian activity that consists of regular small to violent explosions from one or several vents. [more info]

Volcanism on Vanuatu

Map and location of Vanuatu
Latest news
Wed, 13 Mar 2024, 15:00

Yasur volcano (Vanuatu) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 6 March-12 March 2024 (Continuing Activity)

On 8 March the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) reported that activity at Yasur continued at a level of “major unrest,” as defined by the Alert Level 2 status (on a scale of 0-5). Recent visual observations and photos taken in the field indicated that explosions continued, though activity was confined to the crater. The report warned that some of the explosions may eject material that falls in and around the crater. ... Read all
Wed, 13 Mar 2024, 15:00

Ambae volcano (Vanuatu) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 6 March-12 March 2024 (Continuing Activity)

On 8 March the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) reported that emissions from the active vents at Ambae were ongoing based on recent field observations and photographs. The emissions contained gas, or steam, or ash, or some combination of all three. 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. ... Read all