Volcanic Alert Bulletins
Volcano Alert 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.
Recent earthquakes under the summit of Ruapehu – unrest remains low
A recent cluster of earthquakes has occurred beneath Ruapehu’s summit. All monitoring data at Ruapehu indicates that volcanic unrest remains at minor levels. The Volcanic Alert Level at Mt Ruapehu stays at Level 1.
Whakaari/White Island: Volcanic unrest continues with vent temperature rise
Data from an observation flight at Whakaari/White Island last week shows a significant increase of the active vent temperature to just over 500°C. The state of moderate to heightened unrest continues. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Mt Ruapehu status update: Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) is now heating
Another heating phase has started at Mt Ruapehu and Crater Lake temperature has now reached 31 °C. The Volcanic Alert Level at Mt Ruapehu remains at Level 1.
Whakaari/White Island: Volcanic unrest continues with steam and mud discharge, decreased gas emissions, steady vent temperatures and lake level fall
Recent gas and observation flights at Whakaari/White Island show a decrease in gas emissions and lake level. The vent temperatures remain steady around 240-260 °C. The volcano continues to emit traces of volcanic ash, and the effects on the ground of a small, but energetic discharge of steam and mud were observed. A state of moderate to heightened unrest continues. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2
Whakaari/White Island: Volcanic unrest continues, increased gas emission, steady active vent temperatures and lake level rise.
Recent gas and observation flights at Whakaari / White Island show increases in gas emissions and lake level. The vent temperatures remain steady around 200-220 °C. The volcano occasionally emits traces of volcanic ash and remains in a state of moderate to heightened unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Whakaari/White Island: Volcanic unrest continues, lower gas emission and steady active vent temperatures
Recent gas and observation flights at Whakaari / White Island show lower gas emissions and low vent temperatures remain. The volcano still occasionally emits traces of volcanic ash and remains in a state of moderate to heightened unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Mt Ruapehu status update: Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) now cooling
Another heating phase has passed at Mt Ruapehu. Over the last two months the temperature of Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) rose from 20 °C to 39.5 °C, peaking on 4 September 2021, and has now cooled to 28 °C. The Volcanic Alert Level at Mt Ruapehu remains at Level 1.
Whakaari/White Island: Notable cooling of vent area
A recent observation flight measured a sharp decline in vent temperatures; however, gas emissions stay high. The volcano is still in a state of moderate to heightened unrest and the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Whakaari/White Island: Intermittent weak ash emissions continue
Intermittent ash emissions continued last week, and further occasional emissions are expected to occur in the coming weeks. Small amounts of ash were carried by the vigorous degassing a few hundred metres into the atmosphere near the volcano, and further activity of this type is unlikely to affect the mainland. The volcano remains in a state of moderate to heightened unrest and the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Whakaari/White Island: Ash emissions reduced, night glow continues
While intermittent ash emissions have reduced since last week, the volcano remains in a moderate to heightened state of unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.