Decrease in activity at White Island

A decrease in volcanic activity at White Island has seen the aviation colour code lowered back down to yellow.

GNS Science yesterday made the call to drop the aviation colour code from orange to yellow although the situation remains changeable and the overall eruption hazard is still the same as in recent weeks.

Volcanologist Brad Scott said the level of volcanic tremor recorded early last week had dropped to less than half of that which was recorded the week before.

The small explosive eruptions that had been occurring for the last three weeks have also lessened in intensity.

"The area that was erupting has now filled again with water and the only activity is small geysering but the lake remains hot, about 80 degrees celsius," he said.

The substantial variations in activity during the last few weeks are signs that a hazardous eruption could occur at any time with no warning.

The volcanic alert level remains at one.