Whakaari eruption over with alert level back to 2 after ash deposits found

Whakaari/White Island on March 17. Photo / Geonet

By RNZ

Volcanic alert levels for Whakaari/White Island have been lowered.

There was a minor eruption last week, raising warning levels and leaving flights at Tauranga Airport cancelled.

Earth Sciences New Zealand says new satellite data shows ash emissions could have started as early as March 8.

Observations have now confirmed the volcanic activity is over with no further ash detected.

They also show a new thin deposit of ash over the floor of the inner crater, and some of the island’s southern side.

The volcanic alert level has been lowered back to Level 2, and the Aviation Colour Code reduced to Yellow.