Steam and gas plumes at Whakaari with minor volcanic ash. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and Aviation Colour Code is changed to Orange.
Whakaari/White Island is currently passively emitting a weak-to-moderate steam and gas plume that contains minor volcanic ash. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code is changed to Orange.
A weak-moderate steam and gas plume containing volcanic ash is currently being passively emitted from Whakaari, as seen on our webcams at Whakatāne and Te Kaha as well as on satellite imagery. These observations are used to re-assess the Aviation Colour Code, which is now changed to Orange.
Over the last 2-3 weeks the emissions from the volcano have primarily been weak-to-moderate steam and gas plume emissions. We have frequently ob-served very minor volcanic ash associated with the plume, and this has created hazy conditions down wind of the island. The NZ MetService has also detected small amounts of volcanic ash in satellite data on some days. The prevailing southerly wind is blowing the plume away from the mainland.
When the weather allows, a larger plume can sometimes be seen from the Bay of Plenty coast above and downwind of the island. Similarly, activity can change at short notice and produce stronger steam and gas plumes which are seen from the coast. These plumes occasionally contain volcanic ash.
Without sensors on the island, we continue to rely on remote cameras and satellite imagery to monitor Whakaari. We continue to monitor the island.
Recent activity is consistent with moderate-heightened unrest and the Volcanic Alert Level therefore remains at Level 2. The presence of minor volcanic ash being emitted from the volcano means that the Aviation Colour Code is changed to Orange. 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 in 2024 and the volcano can explosively 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:
Craig Miller Duty Volcanologist
Media contact: 021 574541 or media@gns.cri.nz