Ambae volcano

Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department said the monitoring system at Saratama Ambae recorded volcanic earthquakes and emissions of steam and clouds of smoke high up to 694.48m and contains sulphur dioxide gas (SO2 gas) which can cause acid rain.

The Met office said the Manaro Vui volcano is continuing in a major unrest state.

The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.

People in the South East of Ambae have been advised to give serious consideration to potential volcanic hazards.

The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.

Manaro Vui volcanic activity is continuing in the major level of unrest, consistent with the Volcanic Alert Level 2.

Latest data analysis from the monitoring system shows volcanic earthquakes and emissions of steam, gas and/or ash at the cone inside Lake Manaro Vui.

However, the Volcanic Alert Level is maintained at Level 2.

The increased activity follows gas and steam plumes (so-called degassing) observed by monitoring webcams on 4 and 5 May, which continue from the summit vent within the crater lake Voui.

The warning bulletin states about 2 km Danger Zone A around summit vents including danger zone area of flowing creeks as can be seen in Ambae caldera safety map.

The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.

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.

Gender and protection advisor for UN Women in Vanuatu, Nim Khuman, said a disaster response should assess the needs of different groups, especially those who are vulnerable.

Women and girls are particularly at risk in these situations but disability, age, sexual orientation, income levels and location can also affect how people cope with disasters, she said.

Thousands of former Ambae residents remain in temporary settlements on nearby Santo, in often flimsy and leaky tents.

Kevin Kapalu from World Vision Vanuatu says thousands of people remaining on Santo are already suffering because of heavy rainfall.

But he said if there is not enough warning, a cyclone could be devastating for the evacuees.

"It will be another challenge if there's another cyclone within this cyclone period, then that will add another disaster on top, so they will become more vulnerable."

According to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD), imminent eruption could occur in such major unrest states.

The Danger Zone for life safety remains at 2 km radius from the active vent.

VMDG said the volcanic ashes that fell on Ambae during the 2017 and 2018 eruption could continue to change the behaviour of streams and creeks when it rains. The creeks and streams can produce floods and carry a lot more debris like sands, gravel and boulders.

Possible imminent eruption could occur at any time in such major unrest state.

VMGD confirmed that observations in October and November 2018 confirm that the volcanic cloud emitted are white meaning only steam.

The presence of ash that has fallen on Ambae during the last eruption will continue to change the behaviour of streams and creeks when it rains.

The creeks and streams can produce floods and carry a lot more debris (sands, gravel and boulders).

VMGD stated that the current volcanic activity is consistent with Volcanic Alert Level 2, but possible imminent eruption could occur at any time in such major unrest state.

“Observations in September 2018 confirm that the eruptive activity occurred in July until August has dropped. There is no explosions and volcanic cloud emitted are white colour, means only steam. A small-scale eruption in Lake Voui has ceased”.

It comes amid reports of heavy ash fall on the north and east of Ambae Island over the past week, though the Geohazards Department is maintaining the threat level at two.

The Daily Post newspaper reports all roads to West Ambae are cut and massive mud flows have washed away the roads in two locations.

It means the entire west side of the island is accessible only by sea or by air.

The volcanologists trekked for eight hours and say there is widespread damage and massive disruption to the local population.

But there are reports that around 2000 of the more than 11,000 people originally evacuated are still displaced; after they were forced to move from their home villages because ash fall and acid rain has ruined their food crops.

Henry Vira from the Ambae Manaro Disaster Committee says food security remains the biggest concern.

The Agriculture Department is working to help locals re-plant their food gardens, although it seems administration delays are holding up the assistance.