Small ash emissions and large steam plumes observed at Whakaari. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and Aviation Colour Code changes to Orange.
Variable steam, gas and ash emissions observed at Whakaari / White Island. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Colour Code is changed to Orange.
Over the past week, large white, steam-rich plumes could be seen from our webcams at Whakatāne and Te Kaha. During the weekend, small amounts of volcanic ash were observed in the plume on satellite imagery by our colleagues at MetService which could also be seen as a faint haze from the coast.
On several days last week, sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions were detected by satellite which may have been noticed by residents on the coast as sulphur odours during northerly wind conditions.
Steam, gas, and ash emissions remain variable as they have been for the past few months. Recent activity is consistent with moderate-heightened unrest and the Volcanic Alert Level therefore remains at Level 2. Because of the recent observations of volcanic ash emissions from the volcano the Aviation Colour Code is raised to Orange. Due to the current lack of consistent, usable real-time monitoring data, there is considerable uncertainty about the current level of volcanic activity which could escalate with little or no warning.
GNS Science’s Volcano Monitoring Group and National Geohazards Monitoring Centre will continue to closely monitor Whakaari / White Island for any changes in activity. We will provide further updates when information becomes available.
Further information about the Volcanic Alert Levels and what they mean can be found here.
For information about the impacts of the steam and gas plume should it reach the coast, follow the advice from:
Yannik Behr
Duty Volcanologist
Media contact: 021 574541 or media@gns.cri.nz