A new volcanic eruption occurred at Whakaari/White Island, New Zealand, at 17:35 LT on March 24, 2026, producing a dark grey ash plume rising to about 1 300 m (4 265 feet) above the vent. Authorities raised the Volcanic Alert Level to 3 and the Aviation Color Code to Orange following the event. Activity has since ceased, but further explosive events remain possible with little or no warning.
A weak eruption was detected at Whakaari / White Island volcano in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, on the morning of March 12, 2026, prompting authorities to raise the Volcanic Alert Level from 2 to 3 and the Aviation Colour Code from Yellow to Orange. According to GeoNet monitoring data, ash was observed in a low-level plume above the main vent, with ashfall confined to the crater floor.
Ash from the Whakaari/White Island caused multiple flight cancellations in parts of New Zealand on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, with the Whakatāne and Tauranga airports reporting severe service impacts due to the ash.
Minor ash emissions were confirmed at Whakaari / White Island, New Zealand, following two short-lived eruptions on October 30, 2025. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 3 and the Aviation Color Code at Orange, indicating minor eruptive activity with uncertain future development. An observation flight on November 3 confirmed an ash plume rising 400–500 m (1 300–1 600 feet) above sea level, drifting southeast for 5–8 km (3–5 miles).
Persistent steam, gas, and minor volcanic ash emissions from Whakaari/White Island, New Zealand, have led to several flight cancellations over Tauranga on May 11 and 12, 2025.
Volcanic ash has been increasingly detected in the steam and gas plume at White Island volcano, New Zealand, over the past few months, prompting authorities to raise the Volcanic Alert Level to 3 on April 17, 2025. Intermittent explosive activity observed during aerial monitoring supports the assessment of elevated volcanic unrest.
Small ash emissions along with large white steam plumes have been observed over the past week at White Island volcano in New Zealand, according to a bulletin released by the GNS at 14:30 LT (01:30 UTC) on Monday, February 24, 2025. The Alert Level remains at 2 while the Aviation Color Code has been raised to Orange.
Weak to moderate steam and gas plumes with traces of volcanic ash continue at White Island volcano, New Zealand, on January 13, 2025. The Alert Level remains at 2 while the Aviation Color Code has been raised to Orange.
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.
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.
