Small ash emissions and large steam plumes have been observed at Whakaari recently.

In a statement on its site, GNS reports that the Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 and Aviation Colour Code has changed to Orange.

“Over the past week, large white, steam-rich plumes could be seen from our webcams at Whakatāne and Te Kaha," said duty volcanologist Yannik Behr.

“During the weekend, small amounts of volcanic ash were observed in the plume on satellite imagery by our colleagues at MetService, which could also be seen as a faint haze from the coast.”

Behr said on several days last week, sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions were detected by satellite which may have been noticed by residents on the coast as sulphur odours during northerly wind conditions.

“Steam, gas and ash emissions remain variable as they have been for the past few months,” Behr said.

“Recent activity is consistent with moderate-heightened unrest and the Volcanic Alert Level therefore remains at Level 2. Because of the recent observations of volcanic ash emissions from the volcano the Aviation Colour Code is raised to Orange.

“Due to the current lack of consistent, usable real-time monitoring data, there is considerable uncertainty about the current level of volcanic activity which could escalate with little or no warning.”

GNS Science’s Volcano Monitoring Group and National Geohazards Monitoring Centre will continue to monitor Whakaari/White Island for any changes in activity.

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: