Whakaari/White Island emitting minor volcanic ash – aviation code raised to orange

The aviation code for Whakaari/White Island has been raised due to minor amounts of volcanic ash from the Bay of Plenty island.

GNS Science issued a volcanic alert bulletin on Monday, which upgraded the aviation colour code to orange.

The volcanic alert level remained at 2, indicating “moderate to heightened volcanic unrest”.

“A weak-moderate steam and gas plume containing volcanic ash is currently being passively emitted from Whakaari, as seen on our webcams at Whakatāne and Te Kaha as well as on satellite imagery,“ duty volcanologist Craig Millar said.

“These observations are used to reassess the aviation colour code, which is now changed to orange.

Volcanic activity observed at Whakaari/White Island on January 13. Photo / GeoNet

“Over the last two-three weeks, the emissions from the volcano have primarily been weak-to-moderate steam and gas plume emissions.

“We have frequently observed very minor volcanic ash associated with the plume, and this has created hazy conditions downwind of the island.

“The NZ MetService has also detected small amounts of volcanic ash in satellite data on some days. The prevailing southerly wind is blowing the plume away from the mainland.”

Millar said when the weather allowed, a larger plume could sometimes be seen from the Bay of Plenty coast above and downwind of the island.

He said similarly, activity can change at short notice and produce stronger steam and gas plumes which are seen from the coast.

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These plumes occasionally contain volcanic ash.

“Without sensors on the island, we continue to rely on remote cameras and satellite imagery to monitor Whakaari. We continue to monitor the island.”

Millar said the current levels acknowledged the level of activity but also reflected the degree of uncertainty about the level of unrest due to the lack of consistent, usable real-time monitoring data.

“The level of volcanic activity could escalate back to levels seen in 2024 and the volcano can explosively erupt with little or no warning.”

Further information about the Volcanic Alert Levels and what they mean can be found here.