Activity updates of the Marum, Benbow (Ambrym) and Yasur volcanoes as observed during our volcano expedition to Vanuatu in August 2012

Saturday Aug 25, 2012 09:56 AM | Age: 8 hrs


Yasur eruption
MARUM crater (Ambrym)
The activity of AMBRYM volcano during the observation period from 07 August to 15 August 2012 was exceptionally wonderful because at the time of the ascent to the Marum crater, all the conditions (weather, wind, activity) were optimal for good observation of the boiling lava lake, which has a diameter of about 100 m.
Multiple degassing fountains in the lake generated huge lava bubbles projecting fragments of incandescent lava to the first terrace.
The second crater of Marum, Mbuelesu, had intense fumarole activity with occasional light emissions of gas and ash.

BENBOW crater (Ambrym)
The activity of the Benbow was fairly stable with a regular degassing of the lava lake. We could well see the glow of the lake reflected in the gas cloud.

YASUR volcano (Tanna)
The activity of Yasur volcano was level 1, with many Strombolian eruptions from 2 vents in the crater. The southern vent produced red, liquid lava spattering and intermittent larger explosions throwing lava bombs up to the first terrace. The second (northern) vent had more irregular eruptions, and emitted ash-rich plumes reaching about 150-200 m height. Only few incandescent bombs could be seen ejected from that vent. [link to www.volcanodiscovery.com]