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Time of India
12-05-2025
- Time of India
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. #Operation Sindoor India responds to Pak's ceasefire violation; All that happened India-Pakistan ceasefire reactions: Who said what Punjab's hopes for normalcy dimmed by fresh violations 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'. Live Events 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.
NZ Herald
11-05-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Whakaari/White Island: Ash cloud cancels flights into Tauranga
The advisory states there is ongoing low-level eruption, but ash was observed 'further west than modelled'. On Sunday afternoon, the Tauranga region experienced a light easterly from about 1pm. This is expected to change to a light southerly on Monday and then a light westerly by Tuesday evening, according to the MetService forecast. During April, 2025, images from the webcams at Whakatāne and Te Kaha recorded an increase in volcanic ash in the steam and gas plume at Whakaari/White Island. During the same period, MetService were able to detect minor amounts of volcanic ash in the plume using satellite imagery. From the coast, this can be seen as a hazy plume trailing downwind from the volcano. These observations indicated that there had been a gradual increase in eruptive activity and in response, the Volcanic Alert Level was raised to Level 3 on April 17. The Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange. SunLive has asked volcanologists at GNS Science for an update on Whakaari/White Island.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Whakaari ash plume prompts volcanic alert increase; coastal haze possible
Bay of Plenty residents might notice subtle changes in the air quality in the coming days, as scientists monitoring Whakaari/White Island have observed a gradual increase in volcanic activity. This shift has prompted GNS Science to raise the Volcanic Alert Level to 3, though the Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange for now. Over the past few months, satellites and distant webcams have increasingly captured traces of volcanic ash mingling within the usual steam and gas plume emanating from the island. Officials at New Zealand MetService have also detected these fine particles drifting in the upper atmosphere. From the coastline, particularly during northerly winds, this may manifest as a slight haze in the sky, accompanied by the distinct odour of sulfur carried on the breeze. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Linda Kozlowski, 67, Shows Off Her Perfect Figure In A New Photo Today's NYC Undo While these observations indicate a heightened state of activity beneath Whakaari, with evidence of intermittent, minor explosive events within the crater itself, experts emphasize that significant ashfall along the Bay of Plenty coastline is not currently anticipated. Duty volcanologist Geoff Kilgour assures residents that the ash emissions remain relatively low. Live Events The increase in ash and sulfur dioxide detected through remote monitoring – including satellite imagery and occasional gas flights – suggests a subtle but persistent build-up of pressure within the volcano. This can lead to these small bursts of activity, a common occurrence in active volcanic systems like Whakaari. Due to the lack of on-site monitoring equipment since the tragic events of 2019, scientists are relying heavily on these remote tools to track the volcano's behaviour. The current Volcanic Alert Level reflects both the observed increase in activity and the inherent uncertainty that comes with this remote monitoring approach. The GNS Science Volcano Monitoring Group and the National Geohazards Monitoring Centre will continue their diligent watch over Whakaari/White Island, analyzing every wisp of steam and trace of gas. Residents are advised to stay informed through official channels, as further updates will be provided as new information becomes available. For now, be aware of potential hazy skies and sulfurous smells.
