Volcano

Vanuatu’s Ambae Volcano 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 and following wind direction.

"With the ongoing volcanic activity and the associated hazards, the danger zone is limited to the summit, which is about 2 km radius from the active ventz'.

The department said eruptions can occur at any level of unrest with little or no warnings.

Vanuatu’s Gaua volcano in major state of unrest

The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.

New analysis suggests that volcano activity is likely to continue at this same level of major unrest (Level 2) or increase to the minor eruption state (Level 3).

Volcanic hazards like volcanic gases remain on the Gaua volcanic cone.

The danger zone for life safety is limited to the volcanic cone.

VMGD said ground observations and satellite data confirmed that the current activity consists of ongoing volcanic steam cloud which may contain volcanic gases at Mt. Garet.

Pacific online banking activity increases during lockdowns and Tongan tsunami and eruption

ANZ has seen a 30-percent increase in Pacific internet banking customers, which comes after Samoa and Kiribiti's nationwide lockdown, and recent Tonga events.

Banking has been unaffected by recent riots in the Solomon Islands.

ANZ banks in the Pacific are operational, in-line with government requirements with banks in Samoa back open tomorrow.

ANZ Regional Executive for the Pacific, Tessa Price said people can still access money in Tonga from their bank online or via ATM.

Tonga volcano eruption: Air New Zealand postpones repatriation flight due to ash clouds

The flight was scheduled to leave Auckland this Thursday.

Air New Zealand chief operational integrity and safety officer captain David Morgan said they were postponing the service indefinitely and contacting affected customers.

He said they were monitoring the situation closely and their hearts went out to people in Tonga who have been affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami over the weekend.

"Those affected include our Air New Zealand partners who help with airport operations and our sales and cargo offices in Tonga," Morgan said in a statement.

New tsunami warning as waves hit Tonga

A tsunami wave struck Tongatapu after locals were urged to seek higher ground.

It came shortly after locals in Tongatapu reported “deafening” sound of an eruption this afternoon. They also reported stones pouring down in Tongatapu.

No injuries or deaths have been reported.

Kaniva News correspondent in Tonga Patimiosi Ngūngūtau shared a photo of sea waves flowing inland.

He described the deafening sound as “weird”.

“It was a rain of small black stones and black ashes”, he said.

He said they have evacuated to Liahona at the central south.

Increase in volcanic activity at Vanuatu’s Mount Yasur

In a statement, the department said as of 19 December 2021, the Volcanic Alert Level of Yasur volcano remains at Level 2.

In its major unrest state, Yasur is continuing with ongoing volcanic gases and ashes emissions

VMGD said latest data analysis indicates that the Yasur volcanic activity is currently high in the level of major unrest state.

“An increase of activity was recorded on Saturday 18th December 2021 around 09:00pm and was confirmed by observations data of bombs ejected from the vent to volcano cone.

Volcanic activity on Ambae slightly increases

The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.

VMGD stated that, the volcanic activity on Ambae has slightly increased in the minor unrest level, consistent with the Volcanic Alert Level 1.

Since last Sunday, the volcano activity consisted of emission of steam, with an average height of approximately 250m, and explosions of wet tephra ejected above the lake surface.

Canary Islands volcano: 'Miracle house' escapes lava

People on social media have dubbed the residence in La Palma a "miracle house".

The volcano started erupting on Sunday. More than 200 homes have been destroyed and about 6,000 people evacuated.

The lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano is still advancing and scientists are not sure how long the eruption will last.

The image by photographer Alfonso Escalero shows the house surrounded by rivers of lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano.

It is owned by a retired Danish couple, Inge and Ranier Cocq, who have not visited since the pandemic began, according to El Mundo.

Hundreds more evacuated as La Palma lava nears sea

The evacuation of El Paso was ordered after lava started spewing from a new crack in the Cumbre Vieja volcano.

More than 6,000 people have fled from lava that has buried hundreds of homes since the eruption began on Sunday.

Four earthquakes hit the island shortly after the new eruption vent opened.

Local officials said the lava could trigger a chemical reaction that causes explosions and the release of toxic gases when it reaches the sea.

'Explosive' Soufrière eruption sparks mass evacuation

La Soufrière, which has been dormant for decades, first started showing volcanic activity in December which picked up this week.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves urged more than 16,000 residents in "red zones" to evacuate.

The volcano has since spewed dark ash plumes 6 km (3.7 miles) into the air.

Ash fall has been recorded as far from the volcano as Argyle International Airport, St Vincent's National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) said.