Larger steam and gas plumes visible at Whakaari. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and Aviation Colour Code at Yellow.
Whakaari / White Island is currently emitting larger steam and gas plumes, but no ash has been detected. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Colour Code at Yellow.
Using satellite observations, we noticed a general increase in sulphur-dioxide (SO₂) emissions from the volcano over the past two weeks. On Tuesday, 10 December, between 3 and 5pm NZDT a larger steam and gas plume was visible above Whakaari. This was evident on our webcams at Whakatāne and Te Kaha as well as on satellite images. Since Tuesday, when the weather allows, a larger plume can sometimes be seen from the Bay of Plenty coast above the island. So far there have been no signs of volcanic ash in the plume, whether visually from our webcams, or via Metservice’s analyses of satellite imagery.
During our latest monitoring flight on 5 December, we did not observe any signs of increased volcanic activity. There were no signs of new ash deposits in the crater or the island. The plume was vivid white, consisting of steam and gas, with no signs of ash entrainment. The temperature of the plume, measured with our Thermal Infrared camera, was 150 ºC, which is relatively cool.
It is possible that the increase in SO₂ emissions and size of the plume could be related to fresh magma getting closer to the surface, as it did a few months ago. But so far, no ash seems to have been emitted at the surface. We are planning a gas flight to make more precise measurements of gas emissions and monitor potential changes in the crater area.
Figure 1. Image of the gas and steam plume at Whakaari/White Island on 10 December 2024 from our webcam at Te Kaha.
Recent activity is consistent with moderate-heightened unrest and therefore the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code at 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.
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:
Yannik Behr Duty Volcanologist
Media contact: 021 574541 or media@gns.cri.nz