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Vanuatu

Vanuatu Volcano Alert Bulletin n°2 - Gaua Activity (19 March 2018)

GAUA VOLCANO
14°16’0”S 167°30’0”E Summit 2615ft (797m)
Current Vanuatu Volcano Alert Level:** Level 2**

Gaua volcano is continuing in the major unrest state; Its Alert Level remains at Level 2.

Volcano activity at Gaua is stable at the level of major unrest state. Danger is restricted to visitors approaching the volcanic cone; Risk is around the volcanic cone.

Observations and satellite data from February to March 2018 confirm that the activity consists of ongoing volcanic steam cloud which may content volcanic gases. Visitors approaching the volcan may smell volcanic gases.

Based on its slight increased seismic activity and observation of ongoing volcanic gas emission and steam plumes in December 2017 and January 2018, the Volcanic Alert Level (VAL) was raised to Level 2 on 31st January 2018. The current observations are consistent with the Alert Level 2 activity. Level 2 indicates _‘Major Unrest;Danger is around the volcanic cone’ _.

Gaua volcano is one of the active volcano in Vanuatu. Construction of the historically active cone of Mount Garet and other small cinder cones in the SW part of the caldera has left a crescent-shaped caldera lake, Lake Letas. The symmetrical, flat-topped Mount Garet cone is topped by three active craters.

This is a reminder to all tourism agencies, local authorities, people of Gaua and the general public **not to access the Gaua volcanic cone. In this area volcanic gases will always be expected and other volcano risks could occur at any time in such major unrest state **.

The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department will continue to closely monitor this volcano activity. More information will be provided when necessary.

_For further information, please contact Geohazards Division at the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department at geohazards@meteo.gov.vu or 24686 _.