Earthquake Hits Near Vanuatu Amid Possible Volcanic Eruption
An earthquake happened near Vanuatu on 25 August 2026. It happened at about 18:40. Vanuatu is a group of small islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
News reports say the size of the earthquake is not known yet. This is called the magnitude. Experts often need more time to check this number.
At the same time, there may have been a big eruption at Ambae. Ambae is a volcano in Vanuatu. A volcano is a mountain that can send out hot rock and smoke.
Reports say smoke went very high into the sky. The smoke reached about 15,000 metres. This smoke is called volcanic ash.
People in the area may feel the ground shake. They may also see smoke in the sky. Local teams are checking the situation now.
Vocabulary6 words
- earthquake
- a shaking of the ground
- South Pacific
- an ocean area near Australia
- magnitude
- a number that shows how strong an earthquake is
- eruption
- when a volcano sends out hot rock and smoke
- volcano
- a mountain that can send out hot rock
- volcanic ash
- small pieces of rock and dust from a volcano
Quiz
Answer key
1. Near Vanuatu 2. Its magnitude 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
An _____ happened near Vanuatu on 25 August 2026. It happened at about 18:40. Vanuatu is a group of small islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
News reports say the size of the earthquake is not known yet. This is called the _____. Experts often need more time to check this number.
At the same time, there may have been a big _____ at Ambae. Ambae is a _____ in Vanuatu. A volcano is a mountain that can send out hot rock and smoke.
Reports say smoke went very high into the sky. The smoke reached about _____ metres. This smoke is called volcanic ash.
People in the area may feel the ground _____. They may also see smoke in the sky. Local teams are checking the situation now.