Whakaari/White Island activity settles after small August eruption; coronial inquest to begin

Whakaari/White Island on the day of the observation flight on September 3. Photo / Earth Sciences New Zealand

Eruptive activity on Whakaari/White Island last month was minor and short-lived, new monitoring confirms.

A small eruption was reported on August 28, producing a dark ash plume.

An observation flight recorded only a thin coating of ash on the marine volcano, off the coast of Whakatāne, following the eruption, an Earth Sciences New Zealand statement said today.

Duty volcanologist Geoff Kilgour said the September 3 flight observed no eruptive activity.

“The active vent area is unchanged, indicating no large-scale activity occurred.”

There was no ash in the steam plume and the vent temperature was typical of volcanic unrest rather than eruptive activity.

“Our observations are consistent with moderate to heightened unrest and the Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.”

While this level mostly denoted volcanic unrest hazards, the potential for an eruption at Whakaari/White Island remained and monitoring would continue.

The small August eruption followed an increase in volcanic activity earlier this year.

It comes as a coronial inquest into the December 9, 2019, Whakaari eruption – which killed 22 people and injured 25 more – will soon begin.

The first phase of the inquest will formally open in Whakatāne on October 3, before continuing in Auckland for six to eight weeks.

It will address events on the day of the eruption, the emergency response and the circumstances of the deaths.

The second phase in 2026 will address matters preceding the eruption, including regulatory oversight of tours to Whakaari and how risks were managed.

The coronial process was put on hold while criminal proceedings relating to the eruption were completed.