The frequent volcano rumblings felt on Ambae and surface events seen from neighboring islands of Maewo, Pentecost and even Santo in Vanuatu are ideal settings of a volcano experiencing minor eruption categorised at alert level 3, say volcanologists.

This was the reply from the Manager of the Geohazards Department, Esline Bule, when she was asked to clarify public concerns on the increasing number of eruptions at the Manaro Voui volcano causing more fear among people.

The volcano seems to be making more smoke and rumblings that can be felt far away compared to when it was experiencing major unrest stage – the second highest alert level.

The entire 11,000 population of Ambae island was evacuated to other islands in Vanuatu earlier this month.

Locals from Maewo reported seeing flames and lava cascading down slope from the volcano recently.

These activities are related to the volcano being in a minor eruption state, the Geohazards Manager explained.

About the continuous erupting sounds, Bule said the reason they are louder is because they are coming out from a dry cone.

“Before, activities were happening beneath the lake (Lake Voui),” she said.

“Current eruptions are occurring from a dry cone.

Echo of erupting sounds
“The cone has also grown in height after the unstable activity. The echo of the erupting sounds bounce through the dry cone and can be heard from a very far distance.

“People in places or nearby islands facing the wind direction will receive the sound more clearly.

“Unlike Mt Yasur where its cone is located to a corner, the cone of Ambae volcano sits right at the top of the hill in the centre of the island.

“Definitely, erupting sounds will be heard from great distances as far as from the neighboring islands of Maewo and Pentecost.”

Bule continued to explain that the alert level 3 meant volcanic eruptions were continuing and – just like Mt Yasur – it was expected to throw out flying molten lava and volcanic gases.

No human activity was expected within 3km from the vent in Lake Voui.

People must not approach the volcano or go near the danger zone as chances for moderate explosions are likely, said the Geohazards Manager.

Anita Roberts is a Vanuatu Daily Post reporter and articles from the VDP are republished by Asia Pacific Report with permission.

• Other Vanuatu volcano reports

By Godwin Ligo in Port Vila

New observations and data analysis by scientists from the Geohazards division of the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazard Department (VMGD) suggests that the volcano seems to have settled in a more stable state of activity.

According to the the VMGD, photographs and thermal infrared images taken during observation flights over the weekend show that the activity at the volcano is firmly restricted to the crater area.

READ MORE: Vanuatu Daily Post media director Dan McGarry reports on the ‘DIY evacuation’

The activity consists of explosions and ejection of hot rocks similar to that at Yasur on Tanna.

Small lava flows were also observed near the small craters, and into the lake.

Because the activity is more settled and focused in the summit area, the possibility of a large eruption affecting the whole island is now looking less likely.

Scientists from VMGD will keep monitoring closely the activity, both remotely from Port Vila, thanks to a network of instruments on Ambae, and on the island as needed.

The VMGD will continue to provide updates to the public and government.

One evacuee man dies
An elderly man who was relocated to an evacuation center on west Ambae during the volcano crisis has died, reports Anita Roberts.

The cause of his death is yet to be determined, but a member of the Health Cluster Team has confirmed the death.

A member of the Disaster Working Group at Saratamata confirmed the old man died while in evacuation center but could not give further details.

The elderly people, women, children, the disabled and pregnant women were given the top priority to be evacuated as the most vulnerable group.

Meanwhile, the Director of the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Shadrack Welegtabit, issued an advisory notice yesterday forbidding people to travel to Ambae .

The general public has been told not to visit or travel to Ambae during the state of emergency but some people still fail to follow advice, an NDMO staff said following the advisory.

Godwin Ligo and Anita Roberts are reporters for the Vanuatu Daily Post. Asia Pacific Report has permission to republish articles.

• Planes, ships, barges – the DIY evacuation of Vanuatu’s volcano island – Guardian Australia

Vanuatu’s government is moving the entire population of 11,000 people from Ambae to the neighbouring islands of Pentecost, Maewo, Santo and Malekula in a massive exodus as fears rise of an imminent eruption.

People have begun fleeing their homes, having been told to bring few belongings. They have abandoned their gardens and livestock with clouds of gas and ash engulfing their villages.

More than 6000 children, women and families are trapped in evacuation centers, homeless and in need of humanitarian assistance.

This is roughly 70 percent of the Ambae population.The displaced families came from villages in west and south, which are the most populated.

Shelters, food and water were about to be sent to the volcanic island when the government declared an immediate evacuation for the entire island yesterday.

About 2000 households in evacuation centers and families on other parts of Ambae thought earlier to be safely away from the Manaro Voui volcano must be removed from the island by next Friday, October 6.

The government has offered two public land areas on Pentecost – Loltong and Lonororoe – to initially house evacuees and the Penama Emergency Operation Centre.

Schools evacuated
Evacuation of 283 students from schools on Ambae have already begun and will soon leave for other islands such as Santo.

To find other safe places for the affected families, the Ministries of Land and Internal Affairs (MOIA) have been instructed by the Council of Ministers (CoM) to identify some plots of land on Maewo, Pentecost and Santo and begin the land acquisition process immediately.

Mass evacuation is needed for people’s safety, said Prime Minister Charlot Salwai.

“Lombenben volcanic activity continues to increase but so far not showing a good sign,” he told journalists in a media briefing. “It is impossible to predict whether it will increase or decrease like with cyclones.

“It is better to rescue people and save lives now than get blamed later when worse happens.”

The PM said the government would need more money, apart from the Vt200million disaster provision to find safe temporary dwellings and meet their needs until such time they return back home.

It’s very important for NDMO to keep a good recording on the total number of evacuees and where they are staying on each islands to ensure they get needy food, water and appropriate sanitation facilities, said the PM.

NDMO is taking immediate action to rescue the people and coordinate relief efforts with the support of the Penama Provincial Disaster and Climate Change Committee.

On Tuesday this week, the CoM declared a state of emergency and announced emergency funds for the needy communities.

A second CoM meeting was convened following a briefing between NDMO, the Ministry of Disaster Management with the PM yesterday,leading to the mass evacuation declaration.

Anita Roberts is a reporter with the Vanuatu Daily Post and the article is republished with permission.

RNZ’s Checkpoint programme reports.

The Vanuatu government’s Council of Ministers has declared a state of emergency on Ambae island, allowing public funds to be released for the emergency response to the eruption of Manaro Voui volcano.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reports the government has released Vt200 million (NZ$2.6 million) for the emergency.

A new cinder cone and magma lake has formed the volcano, precipitously close to the freshwater lake surrounding it.

The presence of water means that any eruption could potentially be more explosive.

Evacuations are still proceeding on Ambae, and the Penama provincial government says it has now moved all the people in the south of the island to the north.

The most pressing need now with the significant number of arrivals is food and water, as Penama province’s Assistant Secretary-General Ure has noted today.

Some 36 schools have also been closed on the island.

Checks are also proceeding to ensure no one has been missed in the evacuation.

The director of the National Disaster Management Office is on Ambae today to assess the settlement of the 5000 who have so far been relocated.

The New Zealand government has announced it is sending an RNZAF P-3K2 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft to monitor Manaro Voui and the two other volcanoes, Benbow and Lopevi, currently erupting Vanuatu.

Bob Makin is a contributing editor of Vanuatu Digest.

• Vanuatu endorses Vt200m for Ambae emergency
• Vanuatu evacuates 8000 villagers as volcano erupts