White Island, New Zealand

This image was provided by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences.

This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.

On 27 July, the White Island Volcano erupted without warning and covered the Eastern half of the island with up to 30 cm of ash and pyroclastics, including juvenile pumice (pumice blocks to 1.5 m in size). The shape of the blocks indicated that they impacted the ground in a semi-molten state. The eruption was the largest explosive eruption in 20 years. A new crater was formed measuring ~120 x 150 m. The Alert Level remains at 2.

This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity

White Island is continuing to erupt gas and ash to 800-1,000 m. The volcano's activity level has changed little since April. The ash eruption presents some hazard to aircraft, and flights into the Bay of Plenty have been temporarily disrupted. The current activity does not appear to pose a hazard to visitors.

This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity

The White Island Volcano remains at Alert Level 2 and is still erupting ash, steam, and gases. The active vent has increased in size. During the past week, the eruption plume was usually extended 15 kilometers downwind from the volcano.

This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Instituion's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity

The Alert Level at White Island remains at 2. On 8 June, the MH vent was producing a plume that rose to 2500-3000 feet (800-1000 m). The seismic activity has decreased and is almost to background levels. Ash emission has occurred almost continuously for the past 50 days. Past activity at White Island indicates that significantly larger eruptions could occur with little or no warning.

This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity

On 17-18 May, the White Island ash and gas plume rose to ~1,000 m, and the volcano continues its minor ash eruptions. The sulphur dioxide emissions are about 650 tons per day. White Island remains at Alert Level 2.

This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Instition's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity

On May 9, it was observed that White Island was continuing to erupt a fine ash to 1,000-1,300 m asl. A thin coating of ash, up to a centimeter thick now covers much of the island. There was no evidence of block ejection. Seismic activity is unusually high for the relatively minor eruption, and may be caused by gases being forced through a small diameter vent.

This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.

Minor eruptions on White Island are continuing. Over the Easter weekend, ash erupted almost continuously, but now the eruptions are mostly steam. The Alert Level on White Island was raised to 2 on 18 April. Since 6 April, volcanic tremor has been recorded. On 7 April, a gas and ash plume rose to 1500 m. The SO2 flux is also at a significantly higher than normal level. The combination of continuous ash emissions, the appearance of tremor, and heightened SO2 flux led to the raising of the Alert Level. Larger eruptions could occur with little or no warning. Caution should be exercised when visiting the island.

This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.

On 7 March, White Island erupted with a minor ash emmission from a vent on the ridge southwest of the location of PeeJay vent. There is a possibility of a larger scale eruption, and all visitors to the island should exercise caution. The alert level remains at Alert Level 1. Moderate convection was present in the crater lake, although there was no discoloration of the lake. Light grey slicks were present on the lake surface.

This information was summarized from the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.

On July 23, White Island erupted and spewed steam and ash approximately 10,000 feet into the air. The last significant eruption at White Island was in mid-April.

This information was summarized from Discovery Online.

A new vent named Metra Vent has opened on White Island. This vent is approximately 150 ft (50 m) in diameter. It is about 300 ft (100 m) from the vent that has been active during the past few months. Volcanic tremor at White Island is currently 3-4 times higher than the past few weeks. Wet ash is still being emitted to heights of 2000 ft (600 m) above the new vent. Magma is likely being intruded beneath the surface. The possibility of a larger eruptive event in the near future has increased. Ash from the Metra Vent is also likely to be ejected to higher elevations once the vent dries out. Visitors are urged to stay away from the main crater, as explosive activity could shower the area with rocks and ash. The alert level stands at 2.

This information was summarized from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited and was sent to us by Dan Shackleford.

Minor activity is once again occurring at White Island volcano. Small amounts of ash have been erupted frequently since October 24. About 15 mm of ash has been deposited on the crater rim. On October 31 a steam and ash column rose 5000 ft (1500 m) above the volcano. The alert level at White Island remains at 1.

This information was summarized from a report in the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.

The alert level at White Island was changed to Level 2 as steam and gas plumes were reported above the volcano on August 21. Several reports of ashfall have also been received in the days following this event. A new vent has become active in the northwestern corner of the 1978/90 crater complex. This area has been characterised by high temperature fumaroles and gas vents over the past 2-3 years. Temperatures up to 463 degrees C were recorded over this new vent. This activity could continue to increase, and approaching the crater is currently considered very dangerous.

This information was summarized from a report in the Smithsonian Institution's Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity.

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