The Manaro Voui volcano on Ambae Island, Vanuatu, continues to erupt, spewing ash and smoke up to four kilometers above sea level as of February 24, 2026. Whereas the alert level remains at three on a scale of five, the ongoing activity is causing acid rain that is impacting water and food supplies on Ambae and neighboring islands.
Government Response and Concerns
The Vanuatu government has opted not to issue a mass evacuation order for communities affected by the acid rain. On Friday, the Council of Ministers endorsed a plan of action recommended by the National Disaster Committee, allocating 20 million vatu (US$170,000) to a team from the National Disaster Management Office. This team will assess the damage on Ambae and designate affected areas as disaster zones.
Climate change minister Ralph Regenvanu stated that while a mandatory evacuation is not currently in place, residents in the worst-affected areas are encouraged to relocate to safer parts of the island. Regenvanu also confirmed that an emergency evacuation plan is prepared should the volcanic activity escalate to alert level four.
Impact of Acid Rain and Volcanic Activity
Acid rain, containing sulphuric oxide, is burning crops and contaminating water sources on Ambae. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazard Department (VMGD) reports that the acid rain has spread to Santo, Malakula, Pentecost, and Ambrym islands. VMGD director Levu Antfalo advises residents to protect their water supplies and warns of potential health impacts for those with respiratory illnesses.
Residents are also reporting increasing noise levels from the volcano, with some describing difficulty hearing conversations and discomfort during church services. Edwin Tarai, a resident evacuated in 2018, noted that people on Ambae are expressing concern over the government’s response.
Volcanic Context
According to Yannick Behr, a volcano duty officer with Latest Zealand’s GNS Science, Ambae is an active shield volcano formed by the subduction of the Australian plate. He noted that while the current plumes reach four kilometers, they can reach twice that height, but the consistency of the magma tends to limit the potential for catastrophic eruptions.
The VMGD has reminded residents to stay outside the three-kilometer danger zone around the crater and issued an aviation warning regarding volcanic ash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current alert level for Manaro Voui?
The current alert level is three on a scale of five.
What is the government doing to address the situation?
The government has allocated 20 million vatu (US$170,000) for a disaster assessment team and has an emergency evacuation plan in place should the alert level increase to four.
What are the effects of the acid rain?
The acid rain is burning crops, contaminating water supplies, and potentially impacting the health of residents, particularly those with respiratory illnesses.
As the situation remains dynamic, will the Vanuatu government’s current approach prove sufficient to protect the communities of Ambae and surrounding islands?
