Volcanic Activity Bulletins
Volcano Activity Bulletins (VABs) are New Zealand's official source of volcano status information including the current Volcanic Alert Level (VAL).
They are issued on an as needed basis summarising the volcano status and recent events.
They can indicate if activity is increasing, decreasing, or in a steady state. They may contain forecasts, highlight developing, or expected problems.
If you’d like to be notified as soon as we issue a new bulletin, our social media channels and the GeoNet app will keep you up-to-date.
Minor, short-lived eruptive activity observed at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
At 10.15 am local time, a minor, short-lived eruption started at Whakaari/White Island. This generated a plume which rose to less than 1 km above sea level and contained minor amounts of volcanic ash. The wind then dispersed the plume towards the north-east. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) is now warming up. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1
Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) is now heating again. Since mid-July the lake temperature has been rising and is now 16 °C. Earthquake, volcano gas, lake chemistry and volcanic tremor data are all within typical ranges, and no unusual changes have been observed. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 and the Aviation Colour Code at Green.
Possible end of cooling episode at Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake). The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
Since last week’s update, Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) seems to have stopped cooling, with daily temperatures remaining at around 11°C. Sulphur dioxide gas emissions rose briefly to 800 tonnes per day (t/day) before declining again to ~200 t/day, and a swarm of very small earthquakes occurred beneath the volcano, although these were too small to be precisely located. Together, these minor changes suggest that a new heating episode could be starting at the crater lake.
Earthquake swarm near Ruapehu - minor volcanic unrest continues. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
A swarm of small, relatively deep, earthquakes lasting two days occurred east of Ruapehu early last week. However, there have been no significant changes to the volcano observed following the earthquakes. Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) temperature remains stable at about 12°C. We continue to record emissions of volcanic gas indicating heat and gas flow from depth is occurring. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 and the Aviation Colour Code at Green.
Whakaari/White Island activity limited to steam and gas emissions. Volcanic Alert Level remains at level 2 and Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
Based on observations from a recent observation flight, webcam and satellite imagery, we can confirm no further ash emissions have been detected at Whakaari/White Island. Emissions are limited to steam and gas emissions. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
No further detections of ash emissions at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level lowered to 2 and Aviation Colour Code to Yellow.
Based on observations in recent weeks, including webcam and satellite imagery, no further ash emissions have been detected at Whakaari/White Island. The Volcanic Alert Level is lowered to 2 and the Aviation Colour Code to Yellow.
Eruptive activity declining at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3.
The emission of steam, gas and minor amounts of volcanic ash continues at Whakaari/ White Island but appears to be declining. While significant steam and gas plumes continue to be observed from the Bay of Plenty coast, no major ash emission have been detected from the land or satellite data over the past two weeks. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 3 for now (minor volcanic eruption) and the Aviation Colour Code at Orange.
Crater Lake cooling, minor volcanic unrest continues at Mt Ruapehu. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
Ruapehu’s Crater Lake is slowly cooling and is now 17°C. Heat flux is low while sulphur dioxide gas emissions continue. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 and the Aviation Colour Code at Green.
Continued minor ash emissions at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code at Orange.
The emission of steam, gas and minor amounts of volcanic ash continues at Whakaari/White Island. Ash plumes from the active vent have been ob-served during recent observation and gas flights. Due to this ongoing volcanic activity, the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and the Aviation Colour Code at Orange.
More frequent ash emissions and occasional explosive activity at Whakaari/White Island suggest a general increase in activity. Volcanic Alert Level raised to Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
Over the past few months, volcanic ash has been identified more frequently in the Whakaari/White Island steam and gas plume. Evidence of intermittent explosive activity has also been observed during recent observation and gas flights. This gradual increase in volcanic activity leads us to raise the Volcanic Alert Level to Level 3 whereas the Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
