Earth’s volcanoes are angry: Mexico, Bali and Vanuatu on alert

popo volcano mexico vanuatu bali flickr ross bowling

The world was supposed to end on 23 September, but we’re all still here. However, the planet wants to remind everyone that our existence is hinged on its mood. This week, volcanoes in Indonesia, Mexico and Vanuatu are all threatening eruptions, with some angry craters prompting evacuations.

Ambae Island, Vanuatu

Around 3000km north of New Zeland in the southwestern Pacific, over 10 000 people have been ordered to evacuate Vanuatu’s Ambae Island, in the wake of a possible eruption of Manaro Voui.

Citizens will be “evacuated by ship to the neighbouring islands of Maewo, Espiritu Santo, Pentecost and Malakula,” Vanuatu Digest reports.

Infrared footage taken by the New Zealand Defence Force shows the volcano’s current angry state.

Bali, Indonesia

On Indonesia’s Bali Island, Mount Agung is also threatening eruption.

Videos taken this week shows steam spewing from the 3031m-tall peak.

Snaps published on Twitter today suggests that Agung’s mood hasn’t improved.

Indonesia correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald Jewel Topsfield captured this chilling warning sign.

The “volcano hazard zone” extends 12km from the peak, while volcano itself is located around 70km southwest from the island’s popular tourist coastline.

While Twitter is being used by journalists to document the event, Facebook is also being used to share valuable information ahead of a possible eruption. This page features over 4000 followers at the time of writing.

More than 120 000 people have since evacuated the area around the volcano, which last erupted in 1963, killing more than 1000.

Mexico City, Mexico

In the wake of its recent earthquakes, Mexico’s capital faces another possible natural disaster.

Popocatépetl, a 5400m-tall peak 90km outside the city centre, spewed ash and rocks into the Mexican air last Saturday. The ash cloud could be seen from the city centre.

Another eruption was reported on Wednesday. Mexico’s CENAPRED also recorded “96 minutes of low-amplitude volcanic tremor” during this period.

The warning level for the volcano remains on “Yellow Phase 2” which suggests that spurts of ash and debris can be expected.

Feature image: Russ Bowling via Flickr (CC BY 2.0, resized)

Andy Walker, former editor
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