Ambrym is a shield volcano with pyroclastic characteristics located in Vanuatu, standing at an elevation of 1,334 meters within an intermediate crust (15-25 km) subduction zone setting. According to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program's official record, the volcano has a total of 58 confirmed eruptions spanning from its earliest recorded activity in the 1st century CE up to 2024.
Overview of Eruption History
The historical record for Ambrym spans multiple centuries, with varying frequencies of reported and measured activity. The earliest recorded eruption in the dataset dates back to 50 CE (with a start year uncertainty of 100 years) and reached a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 6.0, determined via uncalibrated carbon-14 isotopic evidence methods.
Out of the 58 confirmed eruptions, 54 have associated Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) observations recorded in the official dataset. The largest recorded VEI in the collection is 6.0.
Eruption Distribution by Century
Historical activity at Ambrym is distributed across several centuries according to the official collection aggregates:
- 1st century CE: 1 confirmed eruption (starting around 50 CE)
- 18th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 19th century CE: 10 confirmed eruptions
- 20th century CE: 42 confirmed eruptions
- 21st century CE: 4 confirmed eruptions (through 2024)
Selected Historical Eruptions
The 58 confirmed eruptions include various activity areas and observation methods across different periods. Representative events from the official record illustrate the historical timeline:
- 50 CE: An early event recorded via uncalibrated 14C isotopic evidence with a VEI of 6.0 and an uncertainty of 100 years.
- July 2, 1910: An eruption reported at the base of Marum with a VEI of 0.0 based on reported observations.
- July 2, 1955: An eruption recorded at Benbow with a VEI of 2.0 based on reported observations.
- June 6, 1979 – September 16, 1979: An eruption originating from both Benbow and Marum with a VEI of 2.0.
- January 13, 2024 – January 16, 2024: A confirmed eruption with a VEI of 0.0 based on reported observations.
The profile's last known eruption year is 2024, corresponding to the confirmed activity ending on January 16, 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ambrym located?
Ambrym is a shield volcano located in Vanuatu at latitude -16.25 and longitude 168.12, within a subduction zone tectonic setting.
How many confirmed eruptions does Ambrym have?
The official Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program record lists 58 confirmed eruptions for Ambrym, ranging from 50 CE to 2024.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Ambrym?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Ambrym is 6.0, which occurred during its earliest recorded eruption in the 1st century CE.
When did Ambrym last erupt in the official record?
The latest recorded eruption in the official record started on January 13, 2024, and ended on January 16, 2024.
Image credits
- Umbra Lab, Inc. — Wikimedia Commons source — CC BY 4.0
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.