The East Epi submarine volcano, located in Vanuatu in the Pacific, erupted on Wednesday. The phenomenon threw ash up to 100 m in height and the authorities recommended that ships and planes avoid the area.
“We ask the local population to be careful of possible strong explosions, as the eruptions are still ongoing,” also said the volcano specialist at the Vanuatu Department of Meteorology and Geological Hazards. A security perimeter of 10 km has been established around the underwater volcano, which is 68 km north of the capital Port Vila.
A potential risk of tsunami?
Steam had been reported above the site before the eruption began. The volcano then began this Wednesday morning to project ash. Volcanic activity began shortly before 8 a.m. (local time), according to the local meteorology department. According to a government official, the ground began to shake and smoke was visible in the early hours.
Authorities raised the volcanic alert to the first level (out of five), indicating “minor unrest”. In a statement, the ministry said that although the tsunami warning center, located in Alaska, did not detect any activity around Vanuatu, “such eruptions have the potential to create tsunami waves”.