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.
Whakaari/White Island continues to emit gas and steam. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Whakatane-based webcam images and monitoring flights confirm continuing steam and gas plumes, and no significant changes in the active crater. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.
Te Wai ā-moe (Crater Lake) is cooling, volcanic unrest remains low for Mt Ruapehu. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.
Te Wai ā-moe (Ruapehu Crater Lake) has slowly cooled from 32 °C to 21 °C since January 2023. Other monitoring indicators also remain within normal ranges and the level of volcanic unrest remains low. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Green.
Taupō Volcano remains in minor unrest despite earthquake activity having almost returned to normal. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.
The number of earthquakes at Taupō Volcano over the last few weeks has decreased and almost returned to what is normally seen. Meanwhile, uplift of the floor of the central part of Lake Taupō continues. The volcanic alert level remains at 1.
Whakaari/White Island continues to emit significant amounts of gas and steam. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Recent observation and gas flights confirm that active vents are continuing to emit a significant steam and gas plume. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.
Minor unrest continues at Taupō Volcano including a recent M4.4 earthquake. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.
Minor volcanic unrest continues at Taupō Volcano after an M4.4 earthquake beneath the lake on 5 March. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 (minor volcanic unrest).
No change in activity at Whakaari/White Island as gas emissions continue. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
A recent gas and observation flight confirms that active vents are continuing to emit a weak-moderate steam and gas plume. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.
Crater Lake temperature rise, volcanic unrest remains low for Mt Ruapehu. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.
Ruapehu Crater lake temperature has increased to over 30 °C and the level of volcanic unrest activity remains low. A minor heating episode has occurred in the last 2 months with monitoring indicators remaining within normal range for this type of activity. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Green.
Minor unrest continues at Taupō Volcano. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.
The minor volcanic unrest that began in May 2022 continues at Taupō Volcano. Small earthquakes and ground deformation are still being recorded at above background levels. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1 (minor volcanic unrest).
Whakaari/White Island: Minor-moderate steam and gas emissions continue. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
An observation-gas flight confirms the active vents are continuing to emit a minor-moderate steam and gas plume. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.
No further unusual activity since the M5.6 earthquake beneath Lake Taupō. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.
More than 600 aftershocks have been recorded following the 30 November 2022 M5.6 earthquake that occurred beneath Lake Taupō. Land movements were detected from our GNSS network of up to 250 mm as a consequence of the earthquake. Field teams have been measuring lakeside slumping and inundation distances of the small tsunami, along the lake shore. No further unusual activity has been observed and the minor volcanic unrest at Taupō volcano continues. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.