A huge volcano in Vanuatu which has been threatening to blow for several weeks has erupted, prompting the South Pacific Ocean nation to declare a state of emergency. The Monaro Voui volcano, located on the northern island of Ambae, has been simmering for weeks and finally erupted on Tuesday, September 26. Some 7,000 residents – roughly 70 percent of the population of Ambae – have forced to evacuate over

the last few days as the threat of an eruption grew larger. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department raised the alert level from three to four over the weekend as it warned of “flying rocks and volcanic gas”. Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office director, Shadrack Welegtabit, said: “There’s ash, fire, stones and lava being thrown out from the mouth of the volcano.  READ MORE