And it was determined "danger zone" With a radius of 10 km around the volcano "East Epi" Under water, which is located 68 km from the capital, Port Vila.
After reports of fumes over the site, the dormant volcano spewed ash up to 100 meters early Wednesday.
And it began volcanic activity Before 8:00 a.m. (2100 GMT Tuesday), according to the local meteorological department.
Witness Philip Dick told AFP that the ground began to shake before smoke appeared over the site.
added "Then the explosions started.. and it’s still there An unpleasant sulfur smell in the neighboring villages".
Officials raised the alert status of the volcano to level one, ie "minor disturbances" On a scale of one to five.
The authorities have asked locals on the neighboring islands of Ibe and Tongoa to avoid the coast, for fear of causing damage "Current volcanic eruptions are a possible tsunami".
She indicated that the warning center of waves tsunami Alaska has not yet recorded any activity Vanuatu regionBut "Such volcanic eruptions have the potential to cause Tsunami waves".
Vanuatu was hit by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in early January off the archipelago’s largest island, Espiritu Santo, in the north.
Vanuatu is located in Area "belt of fire" In the Pacific Ocean, which experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
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Ricardo William said Department of Meteorology and Geographical Hazards In the island country, he told AFP: “We ask the local population to beware of any strong explosions as they are still going on.”
A “danger zone” has been identified with a radius of 10 km around the underwater volcano “East Ebi”, which is located 68 km from the capital, Port Vila.
After reports of fumes over the site, the dormant volcano spewed ash up to 100 meters early Wednesday.
And it began volcanic activity Before 8:00 a.m. (2100 GMT Tuesday), according to the local meteorological department.
Witness Philip Dick told AFP that the ground began to shake before smoke appeared over the site.
“Then the explosions started… and it’s still there An unpleasant sulfur smell in the neighboring villages.
Officials raised the volcano’s alert status to level one, meaning “minor disturbances” on a scale of one to five.
Authorities have asked locals on the neighboring islands of Ibe and Tongoa to avoid the coast, fearing that “current volcanic eruptions could cause a possible tsunami”.
She indicated that the warning center of waves tsunami Alaska has not yet recorded any activity Vanuatu regionHowever, “such volcanic eruptions have the potential to cause Tsunami waves“.
Vanuatu was hit by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in early January off the archipelago’s largest island, Espiritu Santo, in the north.
Vanuatu is located in “Ring of Fire” area In the Pacific Ocean, which experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
