Increased volcanic gas emissions detected from new vent at White Island volcano, New Zealand
Image credit: GeoNet
White Island’s volcanic activity has intensified with increased gas emissions from a new vent, confirmed during a monitoring flight on August 14, 2024. GeoNet reported the findings on August 16, noting that while volcanic ash concentrations have risen, the likelihood of impact on the mainland remains very low.
New Zealand’s White Island volcano has shown a marked increase in volcanic gas emissions from a new source vent, confirmed during a gas monitoring flight conducted on August 14 and reported by GeoNet’s Duty Volcanologist, Ery Hughes on August 16.
The new vent, approximately 10 – 15 m (33 – 50 feet) across, is actively releasing both gas and minor volcanic ash. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 3 (indicating a minor eruption), and the Aviation Color Code remains at Orange.
Satellite data from the Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (NZ MetService) also indicates a modest increase in volcanic ash within the plume since August 9.
The ash concentrations are low, and the plume has been tracked extending tens of kilometers from White Island, reaching altitudes up to 2 000 m (6 500 feet) under calm conditions. Despite the increase in activity, the likelihood of ash reaching the mainland remains very low.
The observations from the gas flight are consistent with satellite imagery and data from GeoNet’s webcams located in Whakatāne and Te Kaha. Initial analysis of a small ash sample collected during the flight suggests that the ash is derived from a shallow magma source, indicating that magma is close to the surface and is contributing to the current activity.
This aligns with typical eruptive cycles observed at White Island over the past three decades, which can persist for weeks or months.
NZ MetService has monitored the volcanic ash plume under clear sky conditions, confirming its extent and altitude. However, due to the low concentration of ash, it is often difficult to detect. Should weather patterns shift, the plume might occasionally be directed towards the Bay of Plenty coast, although the current level of activity does not pose a significant threat to the mainland.
Due to ongoing activity, nobody is allowed on White Island.
The advice from the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster is for boaties to avoid the waters around the island. The specific advice is to maintain a distance of at least 3.7 km (2.3 miles).
References:
1 Update from gas flight: volcanic gas emissions increase with minor ash emissions continuing. Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 and Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange – GeoNet – August 16, 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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