Slow-slip earthquake in progress near Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
A slow-slip earthquake (SSE) event has been occurring near New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, along the Hikurangi Subduction Zone since early December.
Increased activity at White Island volcano, Aviation Color Code raised to Orange, New Zealand
The Aviation Color Code for White Island volcano in New Zealand was raised to Orange on December 16, 2024, following observations of occasional volcanic ash emissions alongside larger steam and gas plumes on December 14. The activity could lead to a new eruptive episode. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.
Increased steam and gas emissions observed at Whakaari/White Island volcano, New Zealand
Larger steam and gas plumes have been detected at Whakaari/White Island volcano, New Zealand since December 10, 2024. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and the Aviation Color Code is maintained at Yellow. No ash emissions have been detected so far.
Ruapehu’s Crater Lake temperature slowly increases, New Zealand
Te Wai ā-moe, the Crater Lake of Ruapehu volcano in New Zealand, is experiencing a mild heating trend, with temperatures rising from 8 °C (46.4 °F) to approximately 10 – 11 °C (50 – 51.8 °F). The recent changes have been noted in late October 2024, following several months of cooling that began in February of the same year.
Mount Hutt buried in late snow, 5 m (16 feet) snowdrifts spark reopening possibility, New Zealand
Mount Hutt skifield in New Zealand received nearly a meter (3 feet) of unexpected late-season snow, creating snowdrifts as high as 5 m (16 feet), which could prompt a rare reopening. The snowfall occurred over the long holiday weekend, peaking on October 26, 2024.
Bright fireball illuminates skies over Wellington, New Zealand
A bright fireball was observed over the skies of New Zealand on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at around 07:53 UTC.
Dunedin records wettest day since 1923 with 2.4 times the average October rainfall in 40 hours, New Zealand
Dunedin has recorded its wettest day of the century, with a staggering 130.8 mm (5.15 inches) of rain falling in just 24 hours between October 3 and October 4, 2024, as a moisture plume from the Tasman Sea drenched parts of New Zealand’s Otago region.
Air New Zealand cancels flights amid White Island volcanic eruption
Satellite imagery has captured a continuous low-level eruption at New Zealand’s White Island volcano, with an ash plume rising to 2 100 m (7 000 feet) above sea level and drifting southeast at 9 km/h (5 mph) on Thursday, August 22, 2024. The eruption prompted 10 flight cancellations, according to Air New Zealand.
Increased volcanic gas emissions detected from new vent at White Island volcano, New Zealand
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.
Sulfur dioxide emissions rise as magma nears surface at White Island, New Zealand
An increase in sulfur dioxide emissions, alongside minor eruptions observed on August 11, 2024, suggests the presence of shallow magma beneath the White Island volcano in New Zealand. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3 since August 9, with continued monitoring under difficult weather conditions.
