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Aoba Volcano

Updated: Mar 29, 2024 11:50 GMT -
Shield volcano 1496 m / 4,908 ft
Vanuatu, -15.4°S / 167.83°E
Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)
Last update: 13 Mar 2024 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

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.

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Typical eruption style: unspecified
Aoba volcano eruptions: 2017, 2011, 2005

Latest nearby earthquakes

No recent earthquakes
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Background

A pronounced NE-SW-trending rift zone dotted with scoria cones gives the 16 x 38 km island an elongated form. A broad pyroclastic cone containing three crater lakes is located at the summit of the Hawaiian-style shield volcano within the youngest of at least two nested calderas, the largest of which is 6 km in diameter. Post-caldera explosive eruptions formed the summit craters of Lake Voui (also spelled Vui) and Lake Manaro Ngoru about 360 years ago. A tuff cone was constructed within Lake Voui about 60 years later. The latest known flank eruption, about 300 years ago, destroyed the population of the Nduindui area near the western coast.
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Smithsonian / GVP volcano information

Latest satellite images

aoba satellite image sat1aoba satellite image sat2
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
Thu, 7 Mar 2024, 11:00

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

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