White Island is the most continuously active volcano in New Zealand. It sits in the Bay of Plenty, which is around 50km away from the northern coast of New Zealand's North Island. The volcano last erupted three years ago, but its threat level was increased last month as volcanic activity intensified in the area.
Five people have been confirmed as dead following White Island's latest eruption, and police now fear that the death toll could rise significantly after flights over the volcano revealed no signs of human life.
What is White Island?
Also known by the Maori name Whakaari, White Island has been built up by regular volcanic activity over the last 150,000 years. 70% of the volcano in fact lies underwater, which makes it the largest volcanic structure in New Zealand.
It is privately owned and uninhabited, but regularly attracts tourists: the New Zealand tourism website states that tour operators offer visits to the island via boat, helicopter and float plane, and these tours can attract up to 10,000 annual visitors.
Has White Island erupted before?
White Island is New Zealand's most continuously active volcano, and has erupted several times in the last decade. The most recent eruption was in 2016, but explosions also occurred in August 2012 and February and March 2013. Ash was released from the volcano during the 2012 explosions, steam and sulphur emissions followed in 2013, and in April 2016, a brief eruption formed a new depression in the crater complex.
Later that year, ash was also emitted from a vent. The Volcanic Alert Level for White Island was raised to Level 2 last month following an increase in background activity. According to Michael Rosenberg, Duty Volcanologist for GeoNet, this increased Alert Level meant that eruptive activity was more likely than normal, and could be unpredictable.
How is the volcano monitored?
GeoNet monitor geological hazards in the area, and regularly visit White Island to collect gas and water samples and record observations. Volcanic activity on the island is also continuously monitored by cameras and other specialised technology. Dr Mohammad Heidarzadeh, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Brunel University London, has explained that: “Volcanoes such as the one on White Island are monitored by 24/7 by live cameras and several seismometers, which register all seismic activities."
“Volcanoes trigger numerous small earthquakes, and these small tremors can give us a view of what is happening."
“The signs seem to have been missed on this occasion though, causing five deaths.”
