Minor amounts of volcanic ash are being detected in plumes being emitted by Whakaari/White Island in the Bay of Plenty.

GNS Science issued a volcanic alert bulletin on Monday which upgraded the aviation colour code to orange.

The volcanic alert level remained at 2, indicating “moderate to heightened volcanic unrest”.

“A weak-moderate steam and gas plume containing volcanic ash is currently being passively emitted from Whakaari, as seen on our webcams at Whakatāne and Te Kaha as well as on satellite imagery,“ said duty volcanologist Craig Millar.

“These observations are used to re-assess the Aviation Colour Code, which is now changed to orange.

“Over the last 2-3 weeks the emissions from the volcano have primarily been weak-to-moderate steam and gas plume emissions.

“We have frequently observed very minor volcanic ash associated with the plume, and this has created hazy conditions downwind of the island.

“The NZ MetService has also detected small amounts of volcanic ash in satellite data on some days. The prevailing southerly wind is blowing the plume away from the mainland.”

Millar said when the weather allows, a larger plume can sometimes be seen from the Bay of Plenty coast above and downwind of the island.

He said similarly, activity can change at short notice and produce stronger steam and gas plumes which are seen from the coast. These plumes occasionally contain volcanic ash.

“Without sensors on the island, we continue to rely on remote cameras and satellite imagery to monitor Whakaari. We continue to monitor the island.

Millar said the current levels acknowledge the current level of activity but also reflect the degree of uncertainty about the level of unrest due to the current lack of consistent, usable real-time monitoring data.

“The level of volcanic activity could escalate back to levels seen in 2024 and the volcano can explosively erupt with little or no warning.”

Further information about the Volcanic Alert Levels and what they mean can be found here.

For information about the impacts of the steam and gas plume should it reach the coast, follow the advice from:

-Bay of Plenty Emergency Management

-NEMA: What to do during volcanic activity

-Toi Te Ora Public Health: Volcanic Activity