Volcanoes of Vanuatu

hide right column

Volcanism on Vanuatu

Ambrym volcano (Vanuatu) activity update: lava lakes still active

Tuesday, Apr 03, 2012

Ambrym (Vanuatu) is showing signs of activity. After a longer period of silence on Modvolc, a strong thermal signal is again visible at Marum and Benb... [more]

Yasur volcano (Vanuatu): alert level rises to 3 (out of 4) - crater is closed

Sunday, Jun 05, 2011

The alert level of Yasur has gone up to 3 out of 4, the Vanuatu’s department of geohazards decided early in June, due to increased activity. Access to... [more]

go to Archive ->

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

Gaua | Ambrym | Lopevi | Yasur

to top

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.

to top

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]

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]

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]

to top

Copyrights: VolcanoDiscovery.
Use of material: Text and images on this webpage are copyrighted. Further reproduction and use without authorization is not consented. If you need licensing rights for photographs, for example for publications and commercial use, please contact us.