Volcanic Activity Bulletins
Volcano Activity Bulletins (VABs) are New Zealand's official source of volcano status information including the current Volcanic Alert Level (VAL).
They are issued on an as needed basis summarising the volcano status and recent events.
They can indicate if activity is increasing, decreasing, or in a steady state. They may contain forecasts, highlight developing, or expected problems.
If you’d like to be notified as soon as we issue a new bulletin, our social media channels and the GeoNet app will keep you up-to-date.
No evidence of further ash emissions at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level lowered to 2 and Aviation Colour Code to Yellow.
Based on observations since last Thursday, no further eruptive activity has been recorded at Whakaari/White Island. The Volcanic Alert Level is lowered to 2 and the Aviation Colour Code to Yellow.
Weak ash plume observed from Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level raised to 3 and Aviation Colour Code changed to Orange.
This morning, photos from near Whakaari/White Island show some ash being expelled in the low-level plume. The Volcanic Alert Level is raised to 3 and the Aviation Colour Code changed to Orange.
Minor activity continues at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and Aviation Colour Code at Yellow.
During the past week, white plumes of steam and gas have been visible from the Bay of Plenty coast and small amounts of sulphur dioxide gas have been detected by satellite sensors. Aircraft observations over the past weekend confirmed steam‑and‑gas being emitted from the active vent, but with no signs of erupted ash or rock on the crater floor. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Colour Code at Yellow.
Update on activity at Ruapehu: Temperature of Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) is stable. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
The temperature of Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) has remained relatively cool since August 2025. The current temperature is now around 18 °C. We continue to measure low to moderate volcanic sulphur dioxide (SO₂) gas emissions, and low levels of volcanic tremor. These observations are consistent with minor volcanic unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 and the Aviation Colour Code at Green.
Steam and gas emissions continue at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and Aviation Colour Code at Yellow.
Based on observations from a recent gas flight, webcam images and satellite imagery, activity continues to be dominated by steam and gas emissions at Whakaari/White Island. No recent eruptive activity has been recorded. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Colour Code is Yellow.
Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) is warming up. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1
The temperature of Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) is slowly rising again. The current temperature is now 17 - 18 °C, from a low of 12 °C in early November. We continue to measure low to moderate volcanic sulphur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions, and low levels of volcanic tremor. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 and the Aviation Colour Code at Green.
No evidence of further explosive activity at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level lowered to 2 and Aviation Colour Code to Yellow.
Based on observations from last week, including webcam, gas flight and satellite imagery, no further explosive activity has been recorded at Whakaari/White Island. The Volcanic Alert Level is lowered to 2 and the Aviation Colour Code to Yellow.
Minor volcanic activity continues at Whakaari/White Island characterised by weakly loaded ash and gas plumes that are dispersed downwind. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains Orange.
Minor volcanic activity continues at Whakaari/White Island characterised by weakly loaded ash and gas plumes that are dispersed downwind. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains Orange.
Minor eruptive activity continues at Whakaari/White Island, with higher plume visible from the Bay of Plenty coast. Volcanic Alert Level remains at 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains Orange.
Minor eruptive activity continues at Whakaari/White Island today. At about 11:30 NZDT this morning, a steam and gas plume rose to about 3 km above sea level and was visible from the Bay of Plenty coast. Webcam and satellite observations show that the volcanic ash content was minor, and the likelihood of volcanic ash reaching the mainland is very low. There is no risk of tsunami to the coast from such events. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 3 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Orange.
Low-level eruptive phase at Whakaari/White Island continues. Volcanic Alert Level Remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains Orange.
Intermittent ash emission from the active vent at Whakaari/White Island has continued since the two small, low energy eruptions on 30 October. Ash emissions have been low level, and are unlikely to reach the mainland. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Orange.