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Volcanic alert level summary

1. 3

   Alert level
   Whakaari/White Island Cone Cone-shaped volcano, often with a summit crater.

   Minor volcanic eruption. - View bulletin

2. 1

   Alert level
   Ruapehu Cone Cone-shaped volcano, often with a summit crater.

   Minor volcanic unrest. - View bulletin

1. Whakaari/White Island

   Alert level: 3 Raised

   Observations now confirm weak, ongoing eruption from Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level raised to 3; Aviation Colour Code is raised to Orange.

   21 October 2026

   Whakaari/White Island volcano is now continuously passively erupting a small amount of volcanic ash. Consequently, the Volcanic Alert Level is raised to Level 3 (from 2) and the Aviation Colour Code to Orange (from Yellow). There are no threats to the mainland beyond a potentially noticeable sulphur smell and light ash fall. More explosive eruptions could occur suddenly and be a threat to life on the crater floor and the area immediately offshore, southeast from the island.

2. Whakaari/White Island

   Alert level: 2 Remains

   Emission of weak steam and gas plumes with minor volcanic ash continues at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.

   19 October 2026

   During the past few days, Whakaari/White Island volcano has continued to produce intermittent low-altitude plumes of steam and gas, with minor amounts of volcanic ash. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.

3. Whakaari/White Island

   Alert level: 2 Remains

   Weak ash emission at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.

   16 October 2026

   Ash has been intermittently observed in a low altitude plume from Whakaari/White Island. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.

4. Whakaari/White Island

   Alert level: 2 Remains

   Observation flight confirms no eruptive activity. Steam and gas emissions continue at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.

   14 October 2026

   Over this past week large steam and gas plumes were visible from the Bay of Plenty coast, enhanced by calm atmospheric conditions. An observation flight on Monday confirmed no explosive activity occurred. No eruptive activity has been observed since March, and the overall level of volcanic unrest remains unchanged. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Colour Code at Yellow.

5. Whakaari/White Island

   Alert level: 2 Remains

   Lower gas emissions observed at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2

   3 September 2026

   The general decline in gas emission observed since December 2024 at Whakaari/White Island has continued over the past two months. No eruptive activity has been observed since March, and the overall level of volcanic activity remains unchanged. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Colour Code at Yellow.