Eruption at White Island, Volcanic Alert Level raised to 3, New Zealand
Image credit: GNS
A notable eruption took place at White Island volcano, an active stratovolcano in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, on August 9, 2024, dispersing minor volcanic ash to the east of the volcano. The Volcanic Alert Level was raised to Level 3, and the Aviation Colour Code was increased to Orange. The activity was most active between 01:00 and 03:00 UTC (13:00 and 15:00 LT).
A minor volcanic eruption occurred at White Island volcano today, producing a more vigorous plume that transported volcanic ash eastward. The activity, detected through a combination of webcam imagery and satellite data has since diminished.
The Volcanic Alert Level has been elevated to Level 3, indicating a minor eruption, and the Aviation Color Code has been raised to Orange, reflecting the presence of volcanic ash in the plume. According to satellite data, the ash plume contained only a minor concentration of volcanic ash.
The current wind direction from the west is dispersing the ash plume towards the northeast, specifically towards the northern end of the East Cape. While there is a low probability of the ash affecting the mainland, authorities remain vigilant.
Due to the lack of sensors on White Island, monitoring of the activity relies on remote cameras and satellite imagery. This limitation makes it challenging to detect short-term changes in volcanic activity, which could occur with little notice. Nevertheless, GNS Science’s National Geohazards Monitoring Centre and the Volcano Monitoring Group, through the GeoNet program, are closely observing the situation.
Although the activity has decreased since 03:00 UTC, White Island remains in a period of elevated unrest, and short-lived steam and ash emissions could continue intermittently.
On December 9, 2019, the volcano experienced a sudden and deadly eruption at approximately 14:11 local time, while 47 people, mostly tourists, were on or near the island. The eruption was unexpected and involved a significant release of steam and volcanic gases, known as a phreatic or hydrothermal eruption, which caused severe injuries and fatalities.
The eruption produced an ash plume that rose rapidly, enveloping the crater and surrounding area. The high temperature of the volcanic gases and ash, coupled with the force of the explosion, resulted in burns and traumatic injuries to those on the island. Tragically, 22 people lost their lives due to the eruption, and many of the survivors suffered life-threatening injuries, including severe burns that required extensive medical treatment.
In the aftermath, New Zealand’s emergency services, including the police, military, and search and rescue teams, launched a complex and hazardous recovery operation. The volatile nature of the volcano and the possibility of further eruptions made rescue and recovery efforts extremely dangerous. Despite the risks, authorities worked to recover the bodies of the deceased and provide aid to the survivors.
The 2019 eruption of White Island led to a national and international investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event, focusing on the safety of tour operations and the monitoring of volcanic activity. It remains one of New Zealand’s most tragic natural disasters in recent history.
References:
1 Minor eruption occurred at Whakaari/White Island. Volcanic Alert Level raised to Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code raised to Orange – GeoNet – August 9, 2024
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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