Volcanoes of Vanuatu

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Volcanism on Vanuatu

Ambrym volcano (Vanuatu) activity update

Thursday, May 02, 2013

A SO2 plume is howering over Ambrym island, suggesting that the lava lakes continue to be active. Our next group going there next week will hopefully be able to confirm this by direct observation. [more]

Possible eruption of Gaua, Vanuatu

Monday, Apr 29, 2013

The Wellington VAAC reported on 29 April that a Qantas Airline pilot noticed a possible ash plume from Gaua volcano. ... [more]

Photos from Vanuatu

Vanuatu May 2009: colors (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Vanuatu May 2009: colors (55 Images)

In May 2009, lava levels have risen inside the conduits of Ambrym volcano, feeding strong activity of spattering and low lava fountaining inside the vents of Benbow crater. Favoured by exceptional weather conditions, we were able to descend into the crater and have unusually clear views of the inner crater walls, the vents as well its spectacular activity. Pictures were taken during our recent expedition to Vanuatu on May 24, 2009. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Vanuatu May 2009: the crater of Benbow (Ambrym volcano) (29 Images)

When we arrived on Ambrym, we got news of a new lava lake inside one of the vents in Marum crater. Despite quite bad weather, we managed to get to the crater rim and catch a good glimpses of the boiling lava lake, around 20 m wide, beneath our feet. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Vanuatu May 2009: excursion to Marum crater (16 Images)

Vanuatu May 2009: Ambrym - aerials (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Vanuatu May 2009: Ambrym - aerials (31 Images)

Vanuatu May 2009: Yasur volcano (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)

Vanuatu May 2009: Yasur volcano (46 Images)

Active Volcanoes of Vanuatu

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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.

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Motlav (Stratovolcano)	[more]

Suretamatai (Complex volcano)	[more]

Gaua (stratovolcano)	Gaua is one of the most remote and most active volcanoes of the Vanuatu archipel. Its most recent eruption started in Sep 2009 from Mt Garet inside the caldera lake and is ongoing (as of April 2010). [more]

Mere Lava (Stratovolcano)	[more]

Aoba (Shield volcano)	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]

Ambrym (shield volcano)	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]

Lopevi (stratovolcano)	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]

Epi (Stratovolcanoes)	[more]

Kuwae (Caldera)	[more]

Unnamed 16.992°S/168.592°E (Stratovolcanoes)	[more]

North Vate (Stratovolcanoes)	[more]

Traitor's Head (Stratovolcano)	[more]

Yasur (stratovolcano)	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]

Aneityum (Stratovolcanoes)	[more]

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