Declining vent temperatures at White Island volcano, New Zealand

Declining vent temperatures at White Island volcano, New Zealand

Remote monitoring of the vent area at White Island volcano, New Zealand over the past 12 months revealed that the temperatures of gas emissions have declined from over 700 °C (1 290 °F) to 300 °C (570 °F). Current activity is characterized by steam…

Small steam explosions at White Island volcano, New Zealand

Small steam explosions at White Island volcano, New Zealand

A series of short-lived, low energy steam explosions occurred at White Island volcano, New Zealand on December 29, 2020. This small event consisted of at least 20 individual pulses and may have produced traces of ash locally in the steam plume for a few minutes….

Heightened volcanic unrest at Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand

Heightened volcanic unrest at Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand

The temperature of the Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) at Ruapehu volcano has decreased from 43 to 41 °C (109 – 106 °F) during the past week. The level of volcanic tremor continues to be moderate to strong and a small number of shallow volcanic earthquakes have…

Rare earthquakes detected near Mount Taranaki, New Zealand

Rare earthquakes detected near Mount Taranaki, New Zealand

Two small earthquakes were registered near New Zealand's Mount Taranaki this week– weak and shallow M3.2 on December 8, 2020, and M1.6 on December 11. According to GeoNet, earthquakes near the volcano are considered rare. The last eruption of this volcano took…

Ash emission continues at White Island volcano, New Zealand

Ash emission continues at White Island volcano, New Zealand

Observations made on November 16, 2020, confirm that White Island volcano continues to emit volcanic ash with the steam and gas plume. Although the amounts of CO2 and SO2 gas have decreased, the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 since November 13. The Aviation…