An erupting volcano on Vanuatu, remote South Pacific island, burst into spectacular life today – shooting steam and toxic gases 9,845 feet into the sky.

Huge columns of dense white steam and muddy ash spewed above Ambae Island to reach the greatest height seen since the Mount Manaro volcano began erupting Nov. 27.

Thousands of villagers have been evacuated from the path of a possible lahar, or mud flow, that vulcanologists fear could burst over the crater lip if the eruption continues or intensifies, sweeping away the flimsy homes in its path.

A “red zone” has been declared around the volcano and several ships were ready to evacuate islanders if the situation worsens dramatically.

New Zealand vulcanologist Brad Scott, who is on Ambae monitoring the eruption, said “it remains a low-level eruption, but it could go either way – worsen or slowly subside.”