Mar 15 1999, 3:30 pm - White Island Volcano

Minor eruptive activity continues at White Island, remaining at a low level. Outlined below are observations by C.P. Wood during a visit on Saturday March 13. This visit confirms activity within Metra Crater has now ceased. PeeJay vent has enlarged slightly and continues to emit ash-charged grey-brown steam continuously, but with varying intensity.

Observations

Wind was south-westerly. Activity was more-or-less constant throughout the visit with the ash-steam column rising to about 1060 m drifting many kilometres downwind, with sea discoloration from fall-out evident up to a kilometre from the island.

PeeJay vent was emitting ash-charged grey-brown steam continuously, but with varying intensity. During peak discharges, observers standing on 1978/90 Crater complex edge noted a rumbling noise from PeeJay, but no block ejection was seen. The vent diameter appears to have increased and is now an obvious funnel shape lined with whitish sublimate deposits. Ash could not be collected because of wind direction.

Metra Crater was occupied by a lurid lime-green lake, which largely fills the original crater and peripheral scallops to about 1m below the rim (the old lake floor). There was no sign of thermal disturbance in the Metra lakelet.

The ash surface throughout Main Crater was rain-washed and smooth (except for the trampled route used by the tourist operators), with no sign of recent impact craters near 1978/90 Crater Complex edge.

Photographs were taken.

Volcanic tremor levels have remained low since January 22. In summary, eruptive activity remains low at White Island. The current level of eruptive activity confirms an Alert Level of 1.

Brad Scott
Volcano Surveillance Manager