Images from GeoNet cameras and satellite imagery combined with data from gas-measurement flights on the 5th and 11th of September 2024, confirm that minor eruptive activity Whakaari/White Island continues.
GeoNet is a web of science, technology and people that collects many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s land and geohazard datasets which contribute to how we understand our land. A key part of this sees the GeoNet programme collect comprehensive data while monitoring the geological hazards our country faces including earthquakes, volcanoes, large landslides, and tsunami.
Over the last six months at Ruapehu, Te Wai ā-moe (Crater Lake) has slowly cooled from 31 °C to 11 °C. Our volcanic gas monitoring continues to measure low-moderate volcanic gas emissions. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 and the Aviation Colour Code at Green.
Rapidly advancing science gives our volcano team a wide range of remote monitoring tools to keep a close eye on our active volcanoes. The data from these tools helps us provide valuable information to responding agencies, infrastructure providers and the public, to support disaster management and building community resilience.
An observation flight on Wednesday 21 Aug 2024 and ongoing satellite imagery confirms that minor eruptive activity Whakaari/White Island continues from the new vent that became active in early August. Satellite data further suggests that SO2 levels remain high. The amount of volcanic ash in the plume has not changed much over the last week. There remains a very low likelihood of ash falling on the ground on the mainland.
Welcome, haere mai to another GeoNet Data Blog. Today we are going to take another look at our webcam images, focusing on Whakaari/White Island.
GNS scientists are actively monitoring Whakaari/White Island which sits 48km offshore from Whakatane and has been at Volcanic Alert Level 3 since 9 August. Read on for the latest news, and answers to some frequently asked questions.
A gas flight on Wednesday (14 Aug 2024) has confirmed an increase in the amount of volcanic gas being emitted from Whakaari/White Island and that the plumes come from a new source vent. Satellite data also suggests a modest increase in the amount of volcanic ash in the plume since last Friday (9 Aug) compared to the beginning of the eruptive activity in May 2024. There is a very low likelihood of ash impacting the mainland.
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.
An increase in sulfur dioxide emissions in combination with the minor volcanic eruptions observed over the weekend suggest there is magma in the shallow system at Whakaari. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 (minor eruption) and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.