White Island volcano (New Zealand) activity update: background activity increases further

Volcanic unrest continues at Whakaari/White Island and some monitored parameters show further increases in activity. Hazards on the island are now greater than during the past few weeks and the Volcanic Alert Level is raised to Level 2.
GeoNet observed an increase in the amount of SO2 gas output. The SO2 gas originates from magma at depth and the longer-term data from the past few months suggests a possible increase in gas passing through the volcano from depth.
In the past few weeks, the level of volcanic tremor has also increased from weak to moderate strength. Volcanic tremor can occur for many reasons, including the movement of gas through the volcano, changes in the geothermal system and even surface activity (e.g. geysering). The number or locations of earthquakes beneath or near the island have not changed.
The crater lake level has been rising slowly since early-August and weak geysering-type activity has been observed at the edge of the lake around the active vents on the west side of the crater floor.
Other recent measurements made on the island show no significant changes.
Source: GeoNet New Zealand volcano activity update 19 November 2019