Volcanic eruption triggers series of quakes that cracked up and fissured the island of Ambrym, Vanuatu

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On December 15, 2018, a volcanic eruption on Vanuatu’s Ambrym Island has sparked a series of earthquakes that have opened cracks around the island.

This video by John Tasso features the new fissure that opened up on the Ambrym volcano two days ago:

The volcanic eruption triggered a swarm of tremors – the strongest was  a M5.6 earthquake – which has caused some houses to collapse.

Quakes ranged from M2.2 to M5.6 and were very shallow. This is the reason why they have caused a lot of cracks in the ground and in buildings, mostly on the south east part of Ambrym.

Here some pictures of the large fissures:

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Large crack destroys house on Ambrym, Vanuatu. via Facebook
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Part of the road has disappeared. via Facebook
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Large earthquake crack destroys house on Ambrym, Vanuatu. via Facebook
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Huge cracks appeared in the ground of AMbrym, Vanuatu after a volcanic eruption and a series of earthquakes. via Facebook
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A new step in my garden. via Facebook
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Pretty amazing what an eruption and earthquakes can do the ground. via Facebook
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Ground levelled by earthquake swarm and eruption on Ambrym, Vanuatu. via Facebook
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Large seismic crack destroys house on Ambrym, Vanuatu. via Facebook

The alert level was raised to three – minor eruption – by officials. You bet this is scary!

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[USGS, Radionz, Vanuatu Island Experience]

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