Whakaari, or White Island, experienced a minor eruption recently, prompting an increase in the Volcanic Alert Level to Level 3.
The Aviation Colour Code was also raised to orange. This means the volcano is showing signs of increased activity and potential for eruption.
Geoff Kilgour, a duty volcanologist at GeoNet, reported that on Friday afternoon, the volcano released a more vigorous plume, which is a cloud of steam and volcanic ash. This ash was moved eastward away from the island. While there is a low chance that the ash will reach the mainland, the activity was detected using webcam images and satellite data from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre at NZ MetService.
The most intense activity was observed between 1 PM and 3 PM, after which it began to decrease.
According to satellite data, the plume contained a small amount of volcanic ash. Kilgour noted that Whakaari is in a period of elevated unrest, meaning steam and ash emissions could continue for a while.
Volcanologists will keep monitoring the situation closely to ensure safety and provide updates as needed. It’s important for people to stay informed about any changes in the volcano’s activity.
