Thousands Flee Volcano Threat in Vanuatu

Thousands Flee Volcano Threat in Vanuatu


Tuesday December 6, 2005 3:46 AM

By LEN GARAE

Associated Press Writer

PORT VILA, Vanuatu (AP) - Thousands of villagers living in the shadow
of a volcano spewing ash and steam on the Vanuatu island of Ambae have
been evacuated amid fears of a major eruption, officials said Tuesday.

Mt. Manaro, which cradles a volcanic lake in its crater, began tossing
out ash and a towering plume of steam on Nov. 27. Douglas Charlie, a
local volcanologist, said the lakebed was in danger of being torn
open by the trembling mountain, causing "a gigantic explosion" as
the water hit the hot volcanic magma.

The lake also is being forced up toward the rim, sparking fears of a
mud flow that could flow toward the villages that surround the
mountain.

Officials ordered 5,000 people living in 15 villages nearest the
mountain to move to the island's coast. Ambae itself has a total of
10,000 residents.

Vanuatu Volcano Bursts Into Life


Thursday December 8, 2005 1:31 AM

AP Photo LON804

By RAY LILLEY

Associated Press Writer

AMBAE ISLAND, Vanuatu (AP) - An erupting volcano on this remote South Pacific island
burst into spectacular life Thursday - shooting steam and toxic gases 9,845 feet
into the sky.

Huge columns of dense white steam and muddy ash spewed above Ambae Island to reach
the greatest height seen since the Mt. Manaro volcano began erupting Nov. 27.