Plumes of smoke and ash seeping from Vanuatu volcano as it threatens to erupt

Plumes of smoke, ash and volcanic rock are spewing from Vanuatu's Monaro volcano ahead of a likely eruption.

Aerial footage of the volcano was captured by the New Zealand Defence Force which said the volcano is the "most active they've seen in some time".

The Air Force's acting air component commander Group Captain Nick Olney told the ABC: "Ambae was very active. There were ash clouds, the crater was erupting, [there were] plumes, lavas, smoke ash."

He told Associated Press the aerial survey had been planned prior to the recent seismic activity but were happy to help provide Vanuatu authorities with images and information.

All the data collected by the NZDF will be delivered to scientists tracking the volcano.

The Vanuatu Governemtn has declared a state of emergency as seismic activity increased seeing more than 7,000 people flee their homes on Ambae island, which has a population of about 10,000.

The director of Vanuatu's National Disaster Office, Shadrack Welegtabit, said a ship arrived on Wednesday carrying food, water and other essential supplies with a second ship due to arrive Friday.

Vanuatu's Meteorology and Geohazards Department said in an alert that villagers within 6.5 kilometers of the volcano face the biggest risk from airborne rocks and volcanic gas.

The department warned that acid rain could damage crops across a broader area.

Vanuatu is about one-quarter of the way from Australia to Hawaii. It's made up of 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited, and is home to around 280,000 people.

The nation is considered one of the world's most prone to natural disasters, with a half-dozen active volcanoes as well as regular cyclones and earthquakes.

It sits on the Pacific's "Ring of Fire," the arc of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanoes are common.

With Associated Press