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Vanuatu · Shield volcano

Lombenben

Ambae

Type
Shield volcano
Elevation
1496m
Last eruption
2026
Lombenben
Photo: NASA/JPL/NGA · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Type
Shield volcano
Country
Vanuatu
Region
Southwestern Pacific / Vanuatu Volcanic Arc
Elevation
1496m
Coordinates
-15.389, 167.835
Last eruption
2026
Tectonic setting
Subduction zone / Intermediate crust (15-25 km)
Landform
Shield
Major rock type
Basalt / Picro-basalt

Geological summary

The island of Ambae, also known as Aoba, is a massive 2,500 km3 basaltic shield that is the most voluminous volcano of the New Hebrides archipelago.

Excerpt from the Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution · Read the full summary on GVP →

From Wikipedia

Manaro Voui, or Manaro Vui, is a shield volcano whose emergent portion is known as the island of Ambae in Vanuatu. The summit is 1,496 metres (4,908 ft) above sea level and about 3,900 m (12,800 ft) above the sea floor. According to indigenous custom Chief Virenaliu Paul Vuhu, the summit's valley and lakes are considered the "sacred place and paradise" where they believe after death, their spirits go to live happily ever after'. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department maintains a live webcam and seismological chart.

Wikipedia · CC BY-SA · Read full article →

Eruption history

14 recordedGlossary

Record summary

Confirmed eruptions
12
Uncertain eruptions
2
Span of confirmed record
1530 – 2026
Largest confirmed eruption
VEI 3 (2017)
Confirmed eruptions since 1900
9
Summary (VEI over time)
Click a bar to see individual eruptions · Use arrow keys to move between bars, Enter to open
1530~1580 · 1 eruptions · max VEI ?1629~1679 · 1 eruptions · max VEI 21827~1877 · 1 eruptions · max VEI 21877~1926 · 1 eruptions · max VEI ?1976~2025 · 10 eruptions · max VEI 315301629177818771976

Detailed timeline

  1. 2025VEI 2Observed
    2025-11-24 – 2026-03-24
  2. 2024VEI 2Observed
    2024-06-29 – 2024-06-30
  3. 2023VEI 2Observed
    2023-02-20 – 2023-05-28
  4. 2023VEI 2Observed
    2023-12-11 – 2023-12-21
  5. 2021VEI 1Observed
    2021-12-05 – 2022-08-15
  6. 2017VEI 3Observed
    2017-09-06 – 2018-10-30
    Pyroclastic cone in Lake Voui
  7. 2016VEI ?Method not stated
    2016-08-18 – 2016-08-19
    Caldera area
  8. 2011VEI 1Observed
    2011-06-04 – 2011-07-10
    Lake Manaro
  9. 2005VEI 2Observed
    2005-11-27 – 2006-02-16
    Lake Voui
  10. 1995VEI 2Observed
    1995-03-02 – 1995-03-03
    Lake Voui
  11. 1915 (±1 yrs)VEI ?Method not stated
    1915-07-02 – end unknown
  12. 1870VEI 2Observed
    1870-07-02 – end unknown
    SE side Lake Manaro Lakua; Lake Voui?
  13. 1670VEI 2Geological estimate
    1670 – end unknown
    Lake Voui and upper west flank
  14. 1530VEI ?Geological estimate
    1530 – end unknown
    Lakes Voui and Manaro Ngoru

Nearby volcanoes

External links

⚠ For reference only. Not for emergency response.