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.
Clouds above Whakaari are making it difficult to confirm whether the minor eruption on Sunday (11th August) has finished. If activity is continuing, there is a low probability of any ash affecting the mainland.
On 11/08/2024, TROPOMI – a satellite capable of measuring daily sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions – clearly detected SO2 emissions from Whakaari. This is the first time SO2 has been detected by the satellite since the recent activity that began in May 2024. TROPOMI is less sensitive than our regular gas flights and hence this suggests SO2 emissions from Whakaari have increased. We will be conducting a gas observation flight when conditions allow to confirm this.
The minor eruptions with ash emissions observed over the weekend and the increase in SO2 emissions indicate that magma (molten rock) has ascended to shallow levels beneath Whakaari. Shallow magma could cause high temperature gas venting, which will likely cause regular eruptive activity to continue. We are currently observing intermittent minor volcanic eruptions, with eruption hazards largely restricted to the island, and importantly, there is no current indication that activity will increase in magnitude.
We will continue to closely monitor volcanic activity at Whakaari with remote cameras and satellite imagery, and we plan to conduct gas and observation flights when weather conditions are suitable. Without an on-island monitoring network, changes in activity could occur at short notice and changes in Volcanic Alert Level may be delayed depending on monitoring conditions. We will provide updates when information becomes available.
GNS Science’s National Geohazards Monitoring Centre and Volcano Monitoring Group, through the GeoNet programme, will continue to closely monitor Whakaari/White Island for further changes in unrest.
Further information about the Volcanic Alert Levels and what they mean can be found here.
More information on the recent minor eruptions can be found here.
Ery Hughes (she/her)
Duty Volcanologist
Media contact: 021 574541 or media@gns.cri.nz