Ambae island evacuated as volcanic eruption blocks out the sun
Vanuatu: Ambae island faces complete evacuation, again, and a state of emergency is declared as its erupting volcano blocks out the sun.
The volcano awoke last September, which led to the island’s first full evacuation.
Another evacuation was conducted in May this year, but this was not compulsory and many islanders stayed in place.
Now officials in the South Pacific nation say the volcano once again presents a serious danger to life, and Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu tweeted that Friday’s evacuation was compulsory.
Residents are being moved to neighbouring islands.
On the eve of the 38th anniversary of independence, cabinet has reimposed the state of emergency and ordered the compulsary evacuation of the entire population of Ambae
— Ralph Regenvanu (@RRegenvanu) July 26, 2018
One Ambae resident told news.com.au that it had been hard to sleep because of noise from the volcano, adding that the ash was aggravating children’s asthma.
“I want to leave, but I don’t know where I’m going to live,” said Lillian Garae.
Pictures taken from Ambae show little visibility as the ash plume blocks out the sun.
Latest #Ambae pics. Vanuatu Red Cross Augustin Garae says:
We tried to travel south today but had to turn back, trees are falling, visibility is poor, we cannot see more thn 2 mtrs. Situation is getting worse in south, pple are leaving their homes for evacuation centers in east. pic.twitter.com/ZCwYiLtnYW— Hanna Butler (@hannarosebutler) July 25, 2018
My beautiful home island covered in darkness and thick volcanic ash destroying homes and vegetation. Ambae's volcano is currently at Level 3. Praying for all the families that are waiting to be evacuated! 😞💔 #HomeIsland #Ambae #Manaro #Volcano #ForAmbae #MyLife
PC: John Metojoe pic.twitter.com/tY6R8OweIm— Tristina Karae (@t_karae) July 27, 2018
The Manaro #volcano on #Vanuatu's Ambae Island erupted today. Here's a view of the ash cloud in the South Pacific, from the #Himawari-8 satellite. pic.twitter.com/7NV5Ut9llY
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) July 26, 2018
Ambae island sits on the Ring of Fire — a basin that sees intense tectonic activity from the boundaries of various continental plates.
The movement of these enormous land masses drives volcanoes, earthquakes, trenches and other dramatic geological features.
Ambae’s volcanic awakening is likely attributed to the recent drop-off in solar activity, and the increase in Galactic Cosmic Rays penetrating deep into its silica-rich magma chambers.
Check out this link for more info: https://principia-scientific.org/do-cosmic-rays-trigger-earthquakes-volcanic-eruptions/
[Featured Photo: APA — volcanic ash covering Ambae Island]
