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.
Volcanic unrest at Mt Tongariro is over - Volcanic Alert Level lowered to Level 0
Volcanic unrest at Tongariro (Te Maari) has declined steadily since the eruptions in 2012. All monitoring indicators suggest that the unrest episode that triggered the 2012 eruptions is now over. While high temperature fumaroles are still present at the Te Maari crater, chemical analyses suggest that the gases are mostly from the hydrothermal system (steam); the heat is sustained from cooling magma remnants at depth. GNS Science lowered the Volcanic Alert Level to 0 from Level 1.
Volcanic unrest at Mt Tongariro is over - Volcanic Alert Level lowered to Level 0
Volcanic unrest at Tongariro (Te Maari) has declined steadily since the eruptions in 2012.
Volcanic Alert Bulletin TON-2013/05 - Tongariro Volcano
Tongariro volcano remains quiet. Te Maari has had no eruptive activity since an explosion on 21 November 2012 although there is still a small chance that an eruption could occur with little or no warning.
Volcanic Alert Bulletin TON-2013/04 - Tongariro Volcano
During the past two weeks, the GeoNet seismic network has detected a few very small earthquakes beneath Mt. Tongariro.
Volcanic Alert Bulletin TON-2013/03 - Tongariro Volcano
As a result of a continuing quiet period at Tongariro, GNS Science has lowered the Aviation Colour Code to Green from Yellow.
Volcanic Alert Bulletin TON-2013/02 - Tongariro Volcano
GNS Science says that activity at Tongariro remains low, but steam and gas plumes from the Te Maari area are always present.
Volcanic Alert Bulletin TON-2013/01 - Tongariro Volcano
Te Maari craters at Mount Tongariro, the site of eruptions in August and November 2012, continue to be active with continuous emissions of steam and volcanic gas. Emission of a steam and gas plume has been a continuous feature of the mountain since the August 2012 eruption. The gas is coming from a large fumarole and crack in a cliff just east of the Upper Te Maari crater.
Volcanic Alert Bulletin TON-2012/36 - Tongariro Volcano
Despite continued gas discharge that has been very noticeable over the last few days, Tongariro has not erupted since the explosion on 21 November. However, because of the current volcanic unrest a substantial possibility of further eruptions remains over the next few months.
Volcanic Alert Bulletin TON-2012/35 - Tongariro Volcano
No further eruptions have occurred at Tongariro since the explosion on 21 November. Gas emissions remain similar to those that have been measured over the last few months, and there have been a handful of small earthquakes under the Te Maari area.
Volcanic Alert Bulletin TON-2012/34 - Tongariro Volcano
No further volcanic activity has occurred since the eruption on Wednesday. Gas flux has decreased and seismic activity remains low. GNS Science continues to closely monitor the situation.