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Active Volcanoes of Vanuatu

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Vanuatu

In historic times, at least 8 volcanoes have been active in Vanuatu, including Ambrym, Aoba, and Epi volcanoes. A total of 137 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since 1774.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events in Vanuatu since around 2000.
DateVolcanoVEIRegionDeathsDamage
2024 Oct 3 - Nov 12Ambrym?Vanuatu
2024 Jun 29 - Jun 30Aoba?Vanuatu
2024 Jan 13 - Jan 16Ambrym?Vanuatu
2023 Dec 11 - Dec 21Aoba2Vanuatu
2023 Feb 20 - May 28Aoba2Vanuatu
2023 Jan 31 - Feb 23Epi1Vanuatu
2023 Jan 31
(eruption 2023 Jan 31 - Feb 23)
Epi0Vanuatu
Info
2021 Dec 5 - 2022 Aug 15 ±10 d.Aoba1Vanuatu
2022 May 3Gaua
Mt. Garet
1Vanuatu
2022 Jan 25 - Feb 2 ±1 d.Ambrym
Benbow Crater
1Vanuatu
2021 Nov 16Gaua
Mt. Garet
1Vanuatu
2008 May 23 - 2018 Dec 17Ambrym
Benbow and Marum
2Vanuatu
2018 Dec 15
(eruption 2008 May 23 - 2018 Dec 17)
Ambrym2Vanuatu
moderate
Info
2017 Sep 6 - 2018 Oct 30 ?Aoba
Pyroclastic cone in Lake Voui
3Vanuatu
2018 Mar 30
(eruption 2017 Sep 6 - 2018 Oct 30 ?)
Aoba3Vanuatu4
moderate
Info
2011 Sep 17 - Oct 10Gaua
Mt. Garat
1Vanuatu
2011 Jun 4 - Jul 10Aoba
Lake Manaro
1Vanuatu
2009 Sep 27 - 2010 Jun 19Gaua
Mt. Garat
2Vanuatu
2006 Nov 8 - 2007 Dec 27 or laterAmbrym
Marum (Mbwelesu)
2Vanuatu
2007 Apr 21 - May 14 ?Lopevi2Lopevi Island
2005 Oct 27 ? - 2006 Aug 1 ?Lopevi2Lopevi Island
2005 Nov 27 - 2006 Feb 16 ±15 d.Aoba
Lake Voui
2Vanuatu
1996 Jun 16 ±15 d. - 2005 Aug 16 ±15 d.Ambrym
Benbow, Marum, Niri Mbelesu, Mbwelesu
1Vanuatu
2005 Jan 30 - Mar 31 ?Lopevi2Lopevi Island
2004 Sep 16 ±15 d.Lopevi2Lopevi Island
2004 Feb 16 - Feb 24Epi
Epi B
2Vanuatu
2003 Jun 8 - Jun 16 ?Lopevi3Lopevi Island
2002 Mar 16 ±15 d.Epi1?Vanuatu
2001 Jun 8 - Jun 19 or laterLopevi
NW flank (200-400 m)
3Lopevi Island
1998 Jul 16 ±15 d. - 2000 Apr 25 ?Lopevi
1963 crater (NW flank 1000 m)
3Lopevi Island
1995 Feb 4
(eruptive episode 1774 Jan 01 - 2010 Dec 31)
Yasur3Tanna Island, Vanuatu2
Info
1994 Jan 15
(eruptive episode 1774 Jan 01 - 2010 Dec 31)
Yasur3Tanna Island, Vanuatu1
Info
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Vanuatu FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption in Vanuatu?

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption in Vanuatu?

+How often do volcanoes in Vanuatu erupt?

+How active are the volcanoes in Vanuatu?

+When was the largest volcanic eruption in Vanuatu?

Latest earthquakes: Vanuatu

There was one earthquake of magnitude 4.5 in or near Vanuatu in the past 7 days.
A Magnitude  earthquake occurred in .
Date and TimeMag / DepthNearest Volcano / Location
Jun 22, 06:45 pm (Efate)
4?

58 km
36 km (22 mi) SW ofCoral Sea, 26 km west of Efate Island, Shefa Province, Vanuatu (unconfirmed)I FELT IT - 7 reportsInfo

Significant Earthquakes in Vanuatu since 1900


The deadliest earthquake in Vanuatu since 1900 was the magnitude 7.3 earthquake in  Vanuatu on Dec, 17, 2024. It resulted in 14 fatalities and 265 injured people. A tsunami was generated by the quake as well and contributed to its desctuctive effects. This was also the most damaging earthquake that occurred in this time: total economic losses were estimated to the equivalent of $5-25 million USD. An unknown number houses and other buildings were destroyed and between 100-1,000 damaged.

DateMagRegionDeathsDamage
2024 Dec 177.3VANUATU ISLANDS: EFATE, PORT VILA14
heavy
Info
1999 Nov 267.5Vanuatu Islands: Pentecost10
heavy
Info
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

Map

Oldest quakes (until 1960) are shown in yellow, most recent (from 2000) in red.
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Significant Earthquakes in Vanuatu FAQ

+Which was the deadliest earthquake in Vanuatu since 1900?

+How many people were killed by earthquakes in Vanuatu since 1900?

+How much damage did earthquakes cause in Vanuatu since 1900?

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]
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Volcanism on Vanuatu

Map and location of Vanuatu
Latest news
Wed, 4 Jun 2025, 14:00

Yasur volcano (Vanuatu) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 28 May-3 June 2025 (Continuing Activity)

On 28 May 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). Satellite and webcam images indicated that explosions continued, producing emissions of gas, steam, and/or ash. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions were identified in satellite images during 3, 5-7, 10, 13-16, 18-24, and 26 May, and low-level thermal anomalies were identified during 3, 5, 7, 13-14, and 26 May. ... Read all
Wed, 4 Jun 2025, 14:00

Lopevi volcano (Vanuatu) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 28 May-3 June 2025 (Continuing Activity)

On 28 May the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) reported that during the month seismic data confirmed continuing unrest at Lopevi. Small fumarolic steam plumes were continuously emitted from the summit crater based on a webcam image from 1 May. Low-level thermal anomalies were identified in satellite images on 1 and 20 May, indicative of increased surface temperatures. ... Read all
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