2019 - In Review
Tragically, 2019 ended with the Whakaari/White Island eruption of 9 Dec The eruption had devastating impacts for people on the island at the time, our thoughts continue to be with the families and friends of the people who lost their lives and were injured
Whakaari/White Island: Update #20
Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest. Lava is now visible in the vents created by the eruption. Further explosive eruptions are very unlikely on any given day in the next four weeks. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
Whakaari/White Island: Update #19
Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest. Very hot gas and steam continues to discharge from vents created by the eruption on December 9th. Further large explosive eruptions are very unlikely on any given day* in the next four weeks. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
Mt Ruapehu: Continued background activity, minor volcanic unrest
Over the last 5-6 months measurements of Mt Ruapehu’s Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature, earthquake activity and chemistry have remained consistent with minor volcanic unrest.
Whakaari/White Island likelihood of future eruption: Update #12
Expert judgement this morning is that there is a 1-2% chance (very unlikely) of an eruption occurring that could impact the area beyond the vent within any 24 hour period through to Monday 3 February.
Whakaari/White Island eruption: Update #18
Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest. Very hot gas and steam continue to discharge from the December 9th vents. Further eruptions over 24 hours on any given day are very unlikely in the next four weeks. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2. The Aviation Colour Code changes to Yellow as ash only rarely gets emitted at the vent.
Whakaari/White Island eruption: Update #17
Very hot gas and steam continue to be discharged from active vents at the back of the crater basin. Volcanic tremor and other seismic activity continue at a low level. Further eruptions are very unlikely in the next two weeks. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Whakaari/White Island likelihood of future eruption: Update #11
Expert judgement today is that there is a 2-10% chance (very unlikely) of an eruption occurring that could impact the area beyond the vent within any 24 hour period through to Monday 6 January. The daily likelihood has decreased compared to Fri 20 December
Whakaari/White Island likelihood of future eruption: Update #10
Expert judgement this morning is that there is a 10-20% chance (unlikely) of an eruption occurring that could impact the area beyond the vent within any 24 hour period through to Monday midday. The likelihood has decreased compared to yesterday.
Whakaari/White Island eruption: Update #16
We have confirmed that very hot gas and steam are being discharged from active vents at the back of the crater basin. Volcanic tremor continues at a low level. Further eruptions are unlikely in the next few days. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.