Elevated unrest, short-lived vigorous steam and gas plume above White Island volcano, New Zealand
Image credit: GeoNet
A short-lived, vigorous steam and gas plume was observed rising above the White Island volcano in New Zealand on July 26, 2024. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 (moderate to heightened unrest), and the Aviation Color Code remains Yellow.
Between 06:30 and 07:30 (LT) on July 26, a vigorous steam and gas plume was observed rising from the volcano to about 1 000 m (3 280 feet).
The plume appears to have carried a minor amount of ash but ashfall was limited to the island and its immediate western area, with no ash detected beyond the island, according to the MetService. Consequently, there is no ashfall threat to the mainland.
White Island is in a period of elevated unrest, and with the drying up of the vent area, such short-lived steam and ash emissions may become more frequent, GNS Science volcanologists said.
Although the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2, short-lived increases in degassing or eruptions can still occur with little or no warning. While Volcanic Alert Level 2 is mostly associated with volcanic unrest hazards (including the discharge of steam and hot volcanic gases, earthquakes, landslides, and hydrothermal activity), the potential for eruption hazards remains.
Monitoring of the volcano relies on remote cameras and satellite imagery, supported by gas and observation flights, due to the absence of sensors on the island.
References:
1 Brief ash emission at Whakaari. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and Aviation Colour Code remains Yellow – GeoNet – July 26, 2024
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