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: Minor volcanic unrest continues. Aviation Colour code changed to Green, Volcanic Alert Level remains Level 1.
Based on the continuously decreasing level of volcanic activity and following the drop in Volcanic Alert Level to 1 a week ago on Tuesday 16 June 2020, the Aviation Colour Code is now changed to Green. The Volcanic Alert Level for Whakaari/White Island remains at Level 1.
Whakaari/White Island: Volcanic Alert Level lowered to Level 1, minor volcanic unrest continues.
Based on the slowly decreasing level of volcanic activity and confirmation that the recently observed gas pulse was short-lived, the Volcanic Alert Level for Whakaari/White Island is now lowered to Level 1. The Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.
Whakaari/White Island: Monitoring and activity update
Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of volcanic unrest. Gas flux has varied above background levels, and was elevated in our latest observation flight. Other monitoring parameters mostly remain within the range observed over the last 2 months. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2; Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.
Whakaari/White Island: Elevated volcanic unrest continues
Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest. No significant changes in the amount of volcanic gas emitted or seismic activity were recorded in March-April. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2; Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.
Whakaari/White Island: Recent observations confirm continued elevated volcanic unrest
• Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest • Amount of volcanic gas has increased slightly compared to recent measurements but remains overall on the decline • Aerial observations confirm presence of high temperature fumaroles • The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2; Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow
Whakaari/White Island: Elevated volcanic unrest continues
• Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest • Volcanic gas fluxes are declining slightly • Aerial observations confirm presence of high temperature fumaroles • The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2; Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow
Whakaari/White Island: Elevated volcanic unrest continues in steady state
Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest. No further extrusion of lava has occurred. Our assessment is that further explosive eruptions remain very unlikely on any given day. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.
Whakaari/White Island: Update #20
Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest. Lava is now visible in the vents created by the eruption. Further explosive eruptions are very unlikely on any given day in the next four weeks. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
Whakaari/White Island: Update #19
Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest. Very hot gas and steam continues to discharge from vents created by the eruption on December 9th. Further large explosive eruptions are very unlikely on any given day* in the next four weeks. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow.
Whakaari/White Island eruption: Update #18
Whakaari/White Island remains in an elevated state of unrest. Very hot gas and steam continue to discharge from the December 9th vents. Further eruptions over 24 hours on any given day are very unlikely in the next four weeks. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2. The Aviation Colour Code changes to Yellow as ash only rarely gets emitted at the vent.