Whakaari/White Island Volcanic Alert Level Lowered

Following an eruption last week, the volcanic alert level has been lowered to level two however, the aviation colour code stays at orange.

Following an eruption last week, Earth Sciences New Zealand Duty Volcanologist Agnes Mazot said no further ash has been detected. 

The volcanic level has been lowered to level two, which reflects moderate to heightened unrest, but the aviation colour code remains at orange because "the likelihood of further ash emission remains elevated," she said. 

"While eruptive activity has ceased for now, volcanic activity could re-escalate with little or no warning."

Any explosive activity could impact the crater floor and immediate vicinity of the island, but ashfall affecting the mainland remains unlikely. 

Cameras are being used to monitor the island and an observation flight will be undertaken as soon as weather conditions permit.

This follows a month of volcanic unrest which has seen the alert level raised twice since the beginning of March. 

Last week Volcanic Duty Officer Steven Sherburn said it would not be unusual for ash or steam coming from Whakaari to be visible from the mainland. 

"They shouldn't be surprised to mostly see just steam coming out, the white plume that we normally see and occasionally we may see something which is darker and contains some ash."

He said this pattern may continue for a few weeks.