Ambae volcano erupting after months of quiet, Vanuatu
Low-level eruptive activity resumed at Ambae volcano (Manaro Voui) in Vanuatu, with intermittent ash emissions observed since December 1, 2025. Satellite imagery from Himawari-9 confirmed continuous low-level ash and gas plumes reaching up to 1.8 km (6 000 feet) above sea level, drifting northwest. The Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) issued its latest advisory on December 4, describing the eruption as continuous but confined within the volcano’s summit area.
Ambae volcano, Vanuatu on December 4, 2025. Credit: VMGD
After months of reduced surface activity, Ambae volcano, also known as Manaro Voui, has entered a renewed phase of low-level eruption. The first Volcanic Ash Advisory (VAA) in a long interval was issued by VAAC Wellington at 05:32 UTC on December 1, confirming a weak eruption and ash plume extending northeast at a height of approximately 2.4 km (8 000 ft) above sea level.
A follow-up advisory on December 4 described a continuous low-level eruption at 14:00 UTC, with ash detected on Himawari-9 satellite imagery. The plume reached up to 1.8 km (6 000 feet) and drifted northwest at about 19 km/h (12 mph).
According to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD), Ambae remains at Volcanic Alert Level 2 – Major Unrest since December 2021. The most recent VMGD bulletin issued on November 27 noted continuous degassing and steam plumes within Lake Voui, elevated sulfur dioxide emissions, minor thermal anomalies, and ongoing volcanic tremor.
All observed activity remains confined within the crater, and the 2 km (1.2 miles) hazard exclusion zone around the active vents is unchanged.
Ambae is a massive basaltic shield volcano rising to 1 496 m (4 907 feet) and forming one of the most voluminous active volcanoes in the Vanuatu arc. Its summit hosts three lakes, Manaro-Ngoru, Manaro-Lakwa, and the currently active Manaro-Voui, situated within nested calderas.
The 2017/18 eruption at Ambae was its largest in recent history, producing widespread ashfall, acid rain, and temporary evacuations.
Residents and visitors are advised to avoid the restricted 2 km zone around the active vents and remain alert to possible sudden changes, as minor explosive or phreatic activity can occur without warning.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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