White Island in the Bay of Plenty ca. 50 km off the North Island's east coast is one of New Zealands most active volcanoes, well known for its spectacular crater with strong hydrothermal activity and sulphur deposits. It is part of the active Taupo volcanic zone and last erupted in 2001 (phreatic explosion).
stratovolcano 321 m (1,053 ft)
New Zealand, -37.52°S / 177.18°E White Island volcano eruptions:
2012, 2001, 1998-2000, 1998, 1995, 1986-94, 1983-84, 1976-82, 1974, 1971, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968-69, 1966-67, 1962, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1955, 1947, 1933, 1930, 1928, 1926, 1924, 1922, 1909, 1908 (?), 1886?,1886, 1885 (?), 1885, 1856 (?), 1836, 1826 Typical eruption style: Explosive (in historic time: frequent small phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions)
White Island webcams / live data Last earthquakes nearby
Seismic spectrum and amplitude from White Island (GeoNet)
Geonet has lowered the alert level of the volcano back to green (normal), following a gradual decline in seismic activity over the past weeks. Degassing remains intense, and after heavy rainfall during the recent past, a lake has been re-established at the main crater.
Current seismic spectrum and amplitude from White Island (GeoNet)
Current seismic signal from White Island (GeoNet)
The strong volcanic tremor observed during the past days has dropped yesterday, but seems to be rising again today. GNS scientists reported that changes in water chemistry seen in recent samples from the White Island crater pool suggest that deep heat input into the volcano's plumbing system has diminished or ended. If this is right and the trend continues, White Island should return to a more stable state in the near future.
Steaming from White Island (Crater floor webcam, GeoNet)
Tremor amplitude and spectrum of White Island during the past 30 days (GeoNet)
Volcanic tremor is continuous and at high levels. Strong steaming can be seen on the webcam. ...more
GNS reported increased CO2 emission (1,950 tons/day on 03 March vs 2,400 tons/day on 26 March), which likely indicates influx of fresh magma at depth. [less]
Current seismic spectrum and amplitude from White Island (GeoNet)
In recent days, seismic activity including volcanic tremor have risen again. In its latest statement, GNS Science reported that "a pattern of repeating minor activity has become established at White Island over the last month." ...more
"Periods of passive steaming and degassing have been accompanied by very low levels of volcanic tremor. This activity has alternated with minor mud and steam explosions from the active crater when there has been strong volcanic tremor. Tremor episodes have lasted from less than one day to over a week. "Recent airborne sulphur dioxide gas measurements on 20 March were at similar levels to over the last month (550 tonnes/day) although carbon dioxide levels were higher (2400 tonnes/day). [less]
The strong tremor has suddenly dropped. A possible explanation might be that the conduit below the vent area has "dried out", with less water entering the system to produce the previous "loud" tremor and possible deep-seated phreatic explosions.
Continuous volcanic tremor mixed with frequent earthquakes remains high, suggesting strong degassing and perhaps minor phreatic activity. ...more
In addition, a magnitude 3.5 quake occurred yesterday at 16:33 local time 10 km east of White Island. No new report has been posted by GeoNet, which suggests that there has not been significant surface activity associated with the elevated activity (yet). [less]
Current seismic spectrum and amplitude from White Island (GeoNet)
Internal unrest in the form of continuous volcanic tremor has further risen and numerous earthquakes have appeared as well during the past hours. A possibility is that some phreatic activity is taking place near the surface, but we cannot verify this at the moment. ...more
So far no eruption reports or new statements from GNS about this activity have become available. [less]
Tremor amplitude and spectrum of White Island during the past 30 days (GeoNet)
After showing a very slow and gradual increase during the past days, tremor has jumped to some of the highest levels recorded since increased unrest and minor explosive activity has started last August.
Tremor has shown a marked increase over the past hour, which follows a very soft increase the volcano has shown during the past days. In addition, 3 shallow magnitude 2.1, 2.5 and 2.9 quakes, possibly of volcanic origin, occurred yesterday south of the volcano at depths of 5-10 km.
After its short period of elevated activity with some ash emissions, the volcano has calmed down and GNS Science has lowered the alert level back to 1 (unrest). ...more
New observations show the activity past week has built up a small ash cone in the “hot lake” crater, which is the current focus of activity. The ash cone is surrounded by a small moat of water. The spiny dome from late last year remains. The latest report writes that the likely activity in the short term will be alternating phases of dry and wet eruptions. [less]
Over the weekend, the active vent began producing ash. During a visit yesterday, the crater was found quiet again. Ash emissions had ceased and were replaced by steam and gas explosions from the active vent. ...more
Tremor has dropped again to low levels at the same time. GeoNet writes that "the current episode of activity started in August 2012 (explosions and ash emission) was followed in November 2012 by the extrusion of a small lava dome. Elevated but not high unrest followed. Volcanic unrest again increased at White Island in mid-January and continues. This unrest has been manifested as increased hydrothermal activity in the ‘hot lake’ which has now developed into an active vent area. This is some of the most vigorous activity seen at White Island for many years." [less]
Minor ash venting occurred at White Island at approximately 11:30 am and 1:30 pm today. GNS Science volcanologists are monitoring the activity and further information will be released as soon as it is available. ...more
Continuous tremor remains high (although a bit lower than a few days ago) and earthquakes have started to reappear. So far, no recent updates have been posted by GeoNet.
While the official alert status of White Island had been reduced to yellow 2 days ago, tremor has just increased again to levels similar to before 5 Feb when it suddenly had dropped. ...more
According to GNS, the risk of an eruption is now lower and the small explosive water-mud-steam eruptions in the active crater that had been occuring for about three weeks lessened in intensity. The area of the crater lake vent that had dried out has now filled again with water and the only activity is small geysering. The lake remains hot, at about 80 deg C. The latter statements, from the bulletin of 11 Feb., obviously do not take the new elevated tremor signal into account. [less]
