The underwater volcano Ist Epi, off the island of Vanuatu in the Pacific, has erupted, spewing ash up to 100 meters in height.
A security perimeter of 10 kilometers has been established around the underwater volcano, which is about 68 kilometers north of Port-Vil, the capital of the country in the Pacific.
First, steam was noticed above the place and then the volcano started spewing ash this morning.
Authorities say ships and planes should avoid the zone.
"We are urging local residents to be on the lookout for possible strong explosions as eruptions are still ongoing," Ricardo William, a volcano specialist at Vanuatu's Department of Meteorology and Geological Hazards, told AFP.
Volcanic activity began around 8.00:23.00 a.m. local time (XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. Tuesday CET), according to the local meteorological department.
A government official told AFP that the ground had begun to shake and smoke had been billowing over the site since the eruption began. He said that explosions had also started, and that the unpleasant smell of sulfur could still be felt.
The authorities have raised the alert level for the volcanoes to the first level, out of a possible five, indicating that it is a matter of "minor difficulties".
Residents of the surrounding islands of Epi and Tongoa are urged to avoid going ashore.
Officials said in a statement that although the tsunami warning center located in Alaska, USA, has not recorded any activity in the Vanuatu region, such eruptions can create tsunami waves.
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