Ambae, volcanic island, c.154 sq mi (400 sq km), Penama prov., N Vanuatu, SW Pacific, 30 mi (48 km) E of Espíritu Santo; also known historically as Aoba, Omba, and Lepers Island. The island, which is 24 mi (39 km) long and 9 mi (14.5 km) wide, is dominated by Manaro Voui, a volcano that rises to 4,907 ft (1,496 m); the volcano is also called Ambae or simply Manaro as well as Lombenben. Within its central caldera is Lake Voui, formed c.400 years ago. Although Ambae has no permanent rivers, there is sufficient rainfall to support subsistence farming and copra production. Volcanic eruptions in 2017 and 2018 led to the evacuation of the population to neighboring Pentecost and Maewo islands.
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