More vigorous gas and steam plume visible at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
Since Wednesday 3rd July we have observed a more vigorous steam and gas plume rising from Whakaari / White Island. Calm and cool weather conditions offshore Bay of Plenty has allowed for very clear views of this activity for many from the coast. No clear eruptive activity has been observed at Whakaari/White Island since Saturday 25th May. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 (moderate to heightened unrest) and the Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
When views are clear from our web camera in Whakatane, we often observe low level and weak steam and gas emissions from the island. These appear to have increased slightly since Wednesday last week and the plume appears hazier as the gas and vapour content increases. Cold air can help condense water vapour and make the plume look more obvious. Sunlight at different times of the day can also make the plume look different colours from white to grey to pale orange-brown. Satellite sensors have not detected sulphur dioxide gas or volcanic ash, and we have not seen any volcanic ash emissions in web camera images. Changes in the plume have been seen many times in the past and represent normal processes in the volcano like those happening since May as the lake and main crater area slowly dry out (see Volcanic Activity Bulletins 2024/04 and 2024/05).
Figure 1. This image captured on Thursday (July 4th) shows the low-level plume of gas and vapour drifting eastwards from Whakaari/White Island, Photo supplied: Chris Clark
Although the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2, eruptions can still occur with little or no warning. The Volcanic Alert Level reflects the current level of volcanic unrest or activity and is not a forecast of future activity. While Volcanic Alert Level 2 is mostly associated with volcanic unrest hazards (including discharge of steam and hot volcanic gases, earthquakes, landslides, and hydrothermal activity), the potential for eruption hazards remains.
As we have no sensors on the island, we continue to rely on remote cameras and satellite imagery, complemented with gas and observation flights to assess the volcanic activity. Further gas and observation flights will be conducted by GNS Science volcanologists to maintain a close eye on activity levels.
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.
Mike Rosenberg
Duty Volcanologist
Media contact: 021 574541 or media@gns.cri.nz