Ambrym

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Ambrym

Ash plume from Ambrym Volcano, May 15, 2004
Elevation: 1,334 metres
Coordinates: 16°15′S 168°7′E
Location: Vanuatu
Type: Pyroclastic shield (active)
First ascent: --
Last eruption: 2006 (ongoing)
Easiest route: --

Ash plume from Ambrym Volcano, October 4, 2004

Located at 16.20° S and 168.20° E in the Pacific Ocean, Ambrym is an island in the archipelago of Vanuatu (formerly known as the New Hebrides). It is well known for its highly active volcanic activity that includes lava lake formation. With 677.7 km² of surface area, it is the fifth largest island in the country.

With the neighbour island of Malakula and a few smaller islands, it forms Malampa Province. Its largest settlement is the village of Eas. The population of 10,000 inhabitants lives mainly of coconut plantations.

Contents

[edit] Mountains and volcanoes

Ambrym is the site of two active volcanoes, Benbow and Marum (also spelled Maroum). The center of the island is dominated by a massive 2000-year-old 12km×8km caldera that hosts these two volcanoes, and the rest of the caldera floor is ash plain, barren because of natural acid rain.

[edit] Nearby small islands to the south

  • Paama with villages of Liro and Loulep
  • Lopevi with villages of Holen and Halos (now abandoned)

[edit] Towns and cities

  • Fali - Linboul - Liro - Loulep - Olal - Ranuetlam - Port-Vato - Toak

[edit] Languages

Like many islands in Vanuatu, Ambrym has its own Austronesian languages. In the north is the North Ambrym language, in the southeast is the Southeast Ambrym language, in the south Dakaka language, in the west Lonwolwol language, and in the southwest Port-Vato language. These are all spoken by a few hundred to a few thousand speakers each.

[edit] External links


Provinces and islands of Vanuatu

Flag of Vanuatu

Malampa:
Penama:
Sanma:
Shefa:
Tafea:
Torba:

 

Malakula | Ambrym | Paama
Pentecost | Ambae | Maewo
Espiritu Santo | Malo
Epi | Éfaté | Shepherd Islands
Tanna | Aniwa | Futuna | Erromango | Anatom
Torres Islands | Banks Islands