Reduced steam and gas plumes at Whakaari. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and Aviation Colour Code is lowered to Yellow.
Whakaari / White Island is continuing to emit steam and gas plumes. No further passive emission of volcanic ash has been observed. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Colour Code is lowered to Yellow.
Since our last routine gas measurement flight on December 14, the emissions from the volcano have reduced to typical steam and gas plume emissions. We have not observed any volcanic ash, and the NZ Met service have detected no further volcanic ash in satellite data. These observations have been used to re-assess the Aviation Colour Code, which is now lowered to Yellow.
A weak steam plume is currently being emitted from Whakaari, as seen on our webcams at Whakatāne and Te Kaha as well as on satellite imagery. When the weather allows, a larger plume can sometimes be seen from the Bay of Plenty coast above the island. Similarly, activity can change at short notice and occasionally produce stronger steam plumes.
Without sensors on the island, we continue to rely on remote cameras and satellite imagery to monitor Whakaari. We will continue to monitor the island over the Christmas-New Year period.
Recent activity is consistent with moderate-heightened unrest and the Volcanic Alert Level therefore remains at Level 2. The lack of volcanic ash being emitted from the volcano means that the Aviation Colour Code is lowered to Yellow. These levels acknowledge the current level of activity but also reflect the degree of uncertainty about the level of unrest due to the current lack of consistent, usable real-time monitoring data. The level of volcanic activity could escalate back to levels seen earlier in the year and the volcano can erupt 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:
Geoff Kilgour
Duty Volcanologist
Media contact: 021 574541 or media@gns.cri.nz