Ash from Whakaari disrupts flights as volcanic unrest continues
Flights at
Tauranga Airport
are being cancelled after
volcanic activity
from
Whakaari Island
, aka White Island, caused disruptions over the weekend. 'Ash cloud from White Island is covering our airspace,' a Tauranga Airport spokesperson said.
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Air New Zealand
canceled four flights due to a steam and gas plume from the
volcano
reaching the
Bay of Plenty
airspace on Sunday evening (May 11).
Two additional flights were canceled on Monday morning(May 12) as a result of aircraft being out of position from the previous night's disruptions.
Dr. Adrian Pittari of Senior Lecturer at
Earth
Sciences, University of Waikato said, 'Ash in volcanic plumes is considered a hazard to aeroplanes flying in affected airspace because it is sucked into their engines potentially clogging fuel lines, sticking onto engine surfaces and eroding parts.'
A Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre advisory was issued for Whakaari/White Island showing data from satellite imagery. The advisory states there is an ongoing low-level
eruption
, but ash was observed 'further west than modelled'.
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The volcanic activity led to the issuance of an ash advisory when light easterly winds carried the plume westward, affecting airspace above Tauranga. GNS Science noted that the plume's impact was due to weather conditions, with no ashfall expected on the coast.
White Island continues to remain at Volcanic Alert Level 3, indicating a minor eruption. The Aviation Colour Code is at Orange, signaling that a volcanic eruption is underway with no or minor ash emission.
Air New Zealand advises passengers to monitor the airline's app and website for the latest updates on flight schedules. The airline does not anticipate further disruptions at this time and recommends consulting GeoNet's website and the Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.
Whakaari/White Island is located offshore in the Bay of Plenty and is New Zealand's most active cone volcano.
In December 2019, a sudden eruption occurred while tour groups were visiting the island, resulting in 22 fatalities and numerous injuries. The fifth anniversary of the incident was marked in a ceremony at Whakatāne in December 2024.
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