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.
Whakaari/White Island eruption: an update
An eruption occurred at ~14:11 local time as an impulsive, shortlived event and affected the crater floor. Activity appears to have diminished since the eruption.
Eruption occurred at White Island
An eruption has just occurred at White Island. More information to follow shortly
Whakaari/White Island: Moderate volcanic unrest continues
Moderate volcanic unrest continues at Whakaari/White Island, with substantial gas, steam and mud bursts observed at the vent located at the back of the crater lake. Other monitoring parameters remain elevated and the Volcanic Alert Level stays at Level 2.
Whakaari/White Island: Moderate volcanic unrest continues
Moderate volcanic unrest continues at Whakaari/White Island, but no new changes are observed in the monitored parameters. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Whakaari/White Island: Background activity increases further
Volcanic unrest continues at Whakaari/White Island and some monitored parameters show further increases in activity. Hazards on the island are now greater than during the past few weeks, and the Volcanic Alert Level is raised to Level 2.
Whakaari/White Island: Background activity increases
Volcanic unrest continues at Whakaari/White Island and some monitored parameters show an increase in activity, with a level of uncertainty about what this means. Hazards on the island remain unchanged and the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.
Whakaari/White Island steam-driven activity increases
Small, muddy, geyser-like explosions are occurring in the active crater at Whakaari/White Island due to a rising crater lake drowning the active vents. This geysering poses no risk to visitors. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.
Whakaari/White Island Volcanic Alert Level lowered to 1
Whakaari/White Island shows lower level of gas emissions and the Volcanic Alert Level is lowered to 1.
Whakaari/White Island Volcanic Alert Level raised to Level 2.
Whakaari/White Island is experiencing moderate volcanic unrest and the Volcanic Alert Level is raised to Level 2.
New earthquake swarm at Whakaari/White Island
Another earthquake swarm started near Whakaari/White Island at around 4 am Thursday morning, 20 June 2019.