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 volcanic unrest continues at Mt Ruapehu as lake temperature slowly increases. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
Over recent months Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) has remained cool but recent data suggest a weak heating trend is underway. The lake temperature is now around 10°C to 11°C, slightly up from the low of 8°C. Our gas monitoring sensors continue to measure low–moderate volcanic sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions, and volcanic tremor is still weak. An eruption remains unlikely. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 and the Aviation Colour Code at Green.
End of eruption at Whakaari/White Island, steam and gas emissions remain variable. Volcanic Alert Level lowered to Level 2 and Aviation Colour Code changed to Yellow.
Based on observations from a monitoring flight on 18 October 2024, recent images from GeoNet’s cameras, and satellite imagery, we can confirm that the recent minor eruptive activity Whakaari/White Island has now stopped, with no further ash emission from the volcano.
Minor volcanic unrest continues at Mt Ruapehu as lake remains cool. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
Since our last activity bulletin on Ruapehu (29 August), the temperature of Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) has remained cool, declining from 11°C to 8°C, the lowest temperature measured since 1970. Our volcanic gas monitoring continues to measure low-moderate volcanic sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions. An eruption remains unlikely.
Eruption may be declining at Whakaari/White Island but gas and ash emissions remain variable. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code at Orange.
Observations from an overflight, images from GeoNet cameras and satellite imagery combined, suggest that minor eruptive activity Whakaari/White Island may be declining. Minor ash emission does continue but seemingly at lower levels than in the past few weeks.
Low level eruption continues with variable gas and ash emissions at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code at Orange.
Images from GeoNet cameras and satellite imagery combined with data from gas-measurement flights on the 5th and 11th of September 2024, confirm that minor eruptive activity Whakaari/White Island continues.
Minor volcanic unrest continues at Mt Ruapehu as lake cools. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
Over the last six months at Ruapehu, Te Wai ā-moe (Crater Lake) has slowly cooled from 31 °C to 11 °C. Our volcanic gas monitoring continues to measure low-moderate volcanic gas emissions. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 and the Aviation Colour Code at Green.
Minor eruptive activity continues at Whakaari: volcanic ash emissions continue. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
An observation flight on Wednesday 21 Aug 2024 and ongoing satellite imagery confirms that minor eruptive activity Whakaari/White Island continues from the new vent that became active in early August. Satellite data further suggests that SO2 levels remain high. The amount of volcanic ash in the plume has not changed much over the last week. There remains a very low likelihood of ash falling on the ground on the mainland.
Update from gas flight: volcanic gas emissions increase with minor ash emissions continuing. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
A gas flight on Wednesday (14 Aug 2024) has confirmed an increase in the amount of volcanic gas being emitted from Whakaari/White Island and that the plumes come from a new source vent. Satellite data also suggests a modest increase in the amount of volcanic ash in the plume since last Friday (9 Aug) compared to the beginning of the eruptive activity in May 2024. There is a very low likelihood of ash impacting the mainland.
Minor ash emissions continue at Whakaari. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
Minor ash emissions continue at Whakaari during this period of minor eruption. Forecasts show a change in wind direction towards the mainland later today (14/08/2024), however there is a low likelihood of ash impacting the mainland. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 (minor eruption) and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
Shallow magma likely at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
An increase in sulfur dioxide emissions in combination with the minor volcanic eruptions observed over the weekend suggest there is magma in the shallow system at Whakaari. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 (minor eruption) and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.