These bulletins are the official source for a volcano's status, including its current Volcanic Alert Level (VAL) and Aviation Colour Code (ACC). They are issued by our science team as required to summarise changes in volcanic activity.
Since Thursday 29 October no observations have pointed to eruptive activity. We have therefore lowered the Volcanic Alert Level to 2 and changed the Aviation Colour Code to Yellow.
Since the last Volcanic Activity Bulletin on 11 August, volcanic tremor at Ruapehu has fluctuated at low-to-moderate levels, with a gradual upward trend in recent weeks. There has been minimal change in measured gas emissions as well as the temperature of Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake). Volcanic activity remains within the range typical for minor unrest, therefore the Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
Minor eruptive activity continues at Whakaari/White Island characterised by low altitude ash and gas plumes that are dispersed downwind. More explosive eruptions could occur suddenly and be a threat to life on the crater floor and the area immediately offshore, south-east of the island. There are no threats to the mainland, but residents may notice a sulphur smell or light ash fall during favourable wind conditions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Since the last Volcanic Activity Bulletin on 3 August, volcanic tremor at Mt Ruapehu has decreased from moderate to weak levels. There has been minimal change in measured gas emissions as well as the temperature of Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake). Volcanic activity remains within the range typical for minor unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level therefore remains at Level 1.
During the last two weeks, volcanic tremor at Mt Ruapehu has gradually increased from weak to moderate levels. There has been minimal change in temperatures of Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake). Volcanic gas emissions continue in low-to-moderate amounts. Volcanic activity remains within the range typical for minor unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1; the Aviation Colour Code remains Green.
