White Island volcano (New Zealand) activity update: amount of SO2 gas and level of volcanic tremor are at the highest level since 2016
Thu, 31 Oct 2019, 10:41 | BY: MARTIN
Volcanic unrest continues at Whakaari/White Island and some monitored parameters show an increase in activity, with a level of uncertainty about what this means. GeoNet observed over the last several months a change in the amount of SO2 gas output and level of volcanic tremor. Both show an increasing trend and are at the highest level since 2016. Volcanic tremor can occur for many reasons, including the movement of gas through the volcano, changes in the geothermal system and even surface activity (geysering or ash emissions).
The crater lake level has been rising since early August. The rising lake level has impacted the surface activity around the active vents on the west side of the crater floor, and geysering type activity has been observed in this area.
Other recent measurements made on the island (soil gas, fumarole and water chemistry, ground deformation, magnetics, visual images from the web cameras, and earthquake activity) show no significant changes.
Hazards on the island remain unchanged and the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1.
Source: GeoNet New Zealand volcano activity update 30 October 2019
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Previous news
Wed, 23 Oct 2019, 06:00
Whakaari/White Island volcano (North Island, New Zealand) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 23 October-29 October 2019 (Continuing Activity)
GeoNet reported that sulfur dioxide emissions and the level of volcanic tremor both increased at White Island over the past several months, and were at the highest levels since 2016. The report noted that the changes could be related to a variety of processes, including an increased level of unrest, though the level of hazards on the island remained unchanged; the Volcanic Alert Level remained at 1 (the second lowest level on a 0-5 scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green. The crater lake level continued to rise and impact surface activity around vents, creating small-scale geysering, on the W side of the crater floor. ... Read all
Wed, 25 Sep 2019, 06:00
Whakaari/White Island volcano (North Island, New Zealand) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 25 September-1 October 2019 (Continuing Activity)
GeoNet reported observing small-scale geyser-like explosions of mud and steam at White Island's active vent area during the previous three weeks. The ejecta rose as high as 10 m above the active vents on the W part of the crater floor. An increase in frequency of these events was caused by crater lake water that has been rising since early August, covering the active vents. ... Read all
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