History of Vanua Lava

Sürétimiat, 921 m), an active volcano. The last major eruption was 1965. The highest altitude on the island is 946 m. To the east of the island are the islets of Kwakea and Ravenga. On the west side is Waterfall Bay.

The capital of Torba province, Sola, is located on the east side of the island, on Port Patteson. There is an airport there (IATA code SLH), to which Air Vanuatu flies three times a week. There is one road on the island but few vehicles.

Vanua Lava was first explored by New Zealand Bishop George Augustus Selwyn in 1859. The sulfur deposits of Mt. Suretamate were formerly worked by a French company. Coprais the chief export.

There are four languages spoken on Vanua Lava: Vurës