Minor ash emissions continue at Whakaari. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
Minor ash emissions continue at Whakaari during this period of minor eruption. Forecasts show a change in wind direction towards the mainland later today (14/08/2024), however there is a low likelihood of ash impacting the mainland. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 (minor eruption) and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
Since our last Volcanic Activity Bulletin on Monday (12th August 2024), we have continued to observe low-level volcanic plumes containing minor amounts of volcanic ash being emitted from the active vent at Whakaari. We are using satellite imagery from the Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (MetService) and the GeoNet webcams at Whakatane and Te Kaha for these observations. Southerly winds have transported the plumes to the north, away from the mainland (Figure 1).
Figure 1. “True colour” image from the Himawari-9 satellite showing the current ash and steam plume from Whakaari at 08:30 today (14/08/2024) from Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, MetService (data courtesy of the Japan Meteorological Agency JMA).
The wind direction later today (14th August 2024) is forecast to change from a moderate southwesterly to a very light westerly. Given the current minor ash emissions from Whakaari at this time, this means there is a low likelihood of ash impacting the eastern Bay of Plenty.
We will continue to closely monitor volcanic activity at Whakaari with remote cameras and satellite imagery, and we are conducting gas and observation flights when weather conditions allow. 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.
Ery Hughes (she/her)
Duty Volcanologist
Media contact: 021 574541 or media@gns.cri.nz