According to news reports, on 28 May aerial observations by scientists from the Department of Geology and Mines revealed that Lake Voui of Manaro volcano had changed from blue to red in color. Aoba remains at an Alert level 2, which means the crater area is restricted.

The red lake in the crater. Photo by Esline Garaebiti

Lake Voui (Manaro volcano on Aoba-Ambae island, Vanuatu) is experiencing a spectacular change in its colour: the entire lake is turning red! Spectacular images of lake Voui obtained by Esline Garaebiti who flew over the volcano yesterday May 28 are posted on the CVL website with recent ASTER temperature data.

Eruptive activity at Manaro volcano continues, but has decreased significantly over the past week. Scientists are monitoring the eruption, hoping that it will soon be possible to lower the alert level and permit some 3000 residents that had been evacuated to return to their homes.

Steam and ash erupting from a vent in Lake Vui on Mount Manaro volcano, on the Vanuatu island of Ambae Monday, Dec 12, 2005. (AP Photo/Morris Harrison)

The eruption at Manaro volcano continues at low levels with mainly phreatic activity. A cone is building up inside the lake forming a small island inside the lake. There are two active vents, one of which ejects water, rocks and mud and the other is producing a tall column of steam and gas (up to 8-10,000 feet). A group of New Zealandean volcanologists has recently visited the volcano and sent the following more detailed reports:

The eruption at Mt. Manaro volcano on Vanuatu's island of Ambae, that had started on 27th of Nov. 2005, is continuing at low or decreasing levels (although drawing a lot of media attention, probably because little other significant volcanic events are occurring at the time). Ash and steam plume rose to a maximum of about 3 km (10,000 ft) height into the air as observed on Thursday 7 Dec. According to the optinion of monitoring volcanologists there are no indications at present that the eruption might escalate.
The eruption is occurring from a vent in the middle of the crater lake Vui — before the eruption known as a picturesque blue lake; this is also the main reason for the intense production of steam.