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Ambae Volcano | John Seach
Ambae Island, Penama Province, Vanuatu
15.38 S, 167.83 E,
summit elevation 1496 m
Shield Volcano
Ambae is an ellipsoid shield volcano in northern Vanuatu. The island forms the upper part of the most voluminous volcano in Vanuatu. Ambae volcano rises 3900 m above the ocean floor and has a volume of 2500 cubic km. The volcano is atypical because it has a significant volume of pyroclastic products compared to other basaltic shield volcanoes. Ambae volcano produced the largest eruption in the world in for the year 2018.
The most recent eruption occurred in 2017 and 2018. The eruption began on September 26, 2017, and was characterized by ash emissions and explosive activity from the volcano's summit crater. The ash plumes reached heights of up to 10 km above sea level, and the eruption caused widespread ashfall on the island, as well as pyroclastic flows, lahars and ash clouds. The eruption forced the evacuation of over 11,000 people from the island, and caused damage to crops and infrastructure.
Ambae volcano is one of the most active in the Vanuatu archipelago and it's activity is closely monitored by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department using techniques such as seismology, gas measurements, and thermal imaging. This monitoring helps to understand the volcano's behavior and to predict potential hazards, such as ashfall, pyroclastic flows and lahars.
Ambae volcano photos by John Seach
Ambae volcano (Lake Voui) 2009
Lake Voui, Ambae volcano 2009
Lake Voui, Ambae Island, Vanuatu 2009
Ambae volcano, Vanuatu. Lake Voui 2009
Summit of Ambae volcano, Vanuatu 2009
Campsite near summit of Ambae volcano, Vanuatu.
Ambae Island jungle
Ambae Island jungle
Volcano affected jungle, Ambae Island, Vanuatu
Python at Ambae volcano (Pacific Boa)
Another hazard of volcano climbing!
Ambae Island, Vanuatu
Passenger terminal at airfield on Ambae Island, Vanuatu
Air Vanuatu flight, Ambae Island
Three summit crater lakes at Ambae volcano:
Lake Manaro Ngoru - 300 m diameter.
Lake Vui (Voui) - 2.1 km diameter.
Lake Manaro Lakua - 1.3 km diameter.
2023 eruption
On April 4, 2023, a low level eruption began at Ambae volcano in Vanuatu, producing ash emissions and visible crater glow.
Ambae is a shield volcano in northern Vanuatu and has a volume of 2500 cubic km, rising 3900 m above the ocean floor.
It is atypical due to its significant volume of pyroclastic products compared to other basaltic shield volcanoes.
In 2018, Ambae produced the largest eruption in the world.
2017-2018 Plinian eruption
Activity increased at Ambae volcano on 23 September 2017. Ash
emissions occurred from the summit. The alert level was raised to 4
(out of a maximum 5). Preparations were being made to evacuate up to
5000 people. On 25th September a summit eruption was reported at
Ambae volcano. A new cinder cone formed in the summit lake, and a
lava pond was visible. This is the first time a lava pond has been
observed at Ambae volcano. Major eruptive activity in March and April 2018 caused damage to buildings and heavy ashfall over the island. On 29th March 2018 the crater lake was observed a red colour. On 31 March 2018 and ashplume reached 13.7 km altitude. The island of Ambae was evacuated in July 2018 due to
ongoing eruptions, with 10,000 residents relocated to Santo
and Maewo Islands. The eruption of Ambae volcano was the largest in the world in 2018.
2016 Unrest
Ambae volcano was raised to level 2 alert on 21 August 2016.
Approaching the summit area was not considered safe.
2013 Activity
Activity at Ambae volcano began in December 2012 and continued into
2013. Satellite images showed sulphur dioxide plumes at volcano
during February 2013. The alert status at Ambae remained at level 1.
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit 12 km west of Ambae volcano on 26th
July 2013.
2012 Update
Satellite images showed a sulphur dioxide plume over the volcano on
24th December 2012, extending NW towards Espiritu Santo Island.
2011 Activity
Small ash eruptions occurred at Ambae volcano at the beginning of
June 2011. On 13th June 2011 satellite images showed sulphur dioxide
emission from Ambae volcano extending west to Espiritu Santo Island.
There was an increase in seismic activity at the volcano in July
2011.
2006 Colour Change in Lake
On 28th May 2006 the colour of Lake Voui had changed from blue to
blood red due to oxidation of iron. The change was possible related
to a change in the ratio of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide
emitted by vents in the lake.
2005 Surtseyan Eruption
Summit eruptions began at Ambae volcano on 27th November 2005.
People living in the north to the western side of the island
reported smelling sulphuric fumes after an earthquake on February
16, 2005. In December 2005 eruptions were observed from two vents in
Lake Voui. A 20 m high cone formed in the lake by 4th December.
On 28th May
2000 Unrest
There was an increase in water temperature at Ambae Volcano in 2000.
1995 Eruptions
Phreatic Eruptions occurred at Voui Crater Lake, Ambae in 1995.
Further reading
Moussallam, Y., Rose-Koga, E.F., Koga, K.T., Médard, E., Bani, P., Devidal, J.L. and Tari, D., 2019. Fast ascent rate during the 2017–2018 Plinian eruption of Ambae (Aoba) volcano: a petrological investigation. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 174(11), p.90.
Bani, P., Oppenheimer, C., Varekamp, J.C., Quinou, T., Lardy, M. and Carn, S., 2009. Remarkable geochemical changes and degassing at Voui crater lake, Ambae volcano, Vanuatu. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 188(4), pp.347-357.
Ambae Volcano Eruptions
2023, 2017-2018, 2011, 2005, 1995 (lake degassing), 1914 (earthquake), 1870, 1670, 1575