Yasur Volcano

The department said activity of Yasur volcano at the major unrest state is continuing with ongoing volcanic gases and/or ashes emission.

“The level of risk for visitors accessing areas within the Danger Zone A (Areas around the crater rim to the parking) REMAIN HIGH.”

The department said areas and villages located close to the volcano may continue to expect volcanic gases impacts and/or ash falls following wind directions (currently light east to southeast wind Directions).

Yasur volcano remains at level 2 despite a slight increase in seismic activity.

An increase in ash plume was observed at the volcano Saturday afternoon.

With the presence of ongoing volcanic gases and ashes around the crater rim, the danger zone remains at the Danger Zone B which is about 1 Km around the volcanic cone since Friday.

Areas and villages located close to the volcano and East to South East part of Tanna may continue to expect volcanic gases impact and ash falls following wind directions (currently West to North West wind Directions).

The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.

According to VMGD, new observations on the ground suggest that the Yasur volcanic activity emits plumes of volcanic gases and/or ash.

With this current activity with presence of volcanic gases and/or volcanic ash around the summit crater, the danger zone remains at 600 meter around the volcanic cone.

“Analysis of the latest Yasur seismic data from the volcano monitoring system confirms that the increased in activity of Yasur in March 2020 has now decreased in the level of major unrest.

Seismic activity at the volcano is set to continue, with a danger zone delineated at 395 metres around the eruptive vents, according to a report on Thursday by the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre.

A significant landslide occurred on 26 and 27 October at Yasur's eastern crater rim.

This resulted in removal of a portion of the rim, completely covering one of the main vents, where a small lava pond was previously observed.

The alert level remains at Level 2.

This means that the volcanic explosions remain intense, volcanic bombs may fall in and/or around the crater and volcanic gas and ashes can also affect some villages.

The observation desk of the Geohazards Observatory says the crater is closed and the area of risk remains around the volcanic crater and in areas exposed to trade winds.