White Island eruption overnight

White Island eruption in 2013. Photo/John Borren

GNS has lowered the volcanic alert level for White Island.

"Based on new observations, the Volcanic Alert Level for White Island has been
lowered to 2 from 3. This indicates that the volcano is not erupting anymore but
remains in a state of moderate to heightened unrest. The Aviation Colour Code
remains at Orange."

An eruption occurred at White Island at about 9:50pm yesterday. No further eruptive activity has been observed since that time.

Seismic activity remains low and gas emission data shows similar levels to that
prior to the eruption.

GNS volcanologists flew over White Island this afternoon to assess the impacts of last
night's eruption.

"A dark-green ash deposit from the eruption covers at least 80 per cent of the floor
of Main Crater, and up the sides of the crater wall on both the north and south sides. At a
distance of 500m from the eruption site the ash deposit is about 5mm thick. The green
colour is due to minerals on the ash."

There is currently no indication that activity may be building up at White Island. However,
GNS staff will not be visiting the main crater floor until further notice due to the heightened

state of volcanic unrest.

GNS Science volcanologists are continuing to monitor the volcano
24/7 using existing instrumentation on island and occasional measurements.