Aotearoa Earthquake and Volcano Forecast Service

White Island Update. 1 March 2020

Local vulcanologists announced on 27 February that a strong steam plume was coming from White Island for a couple of days.
They say the plume looks strong because of favourable weather conditions but that nothing unusual is happening at the volcano.
They go on to say they will let the public know if anything happens.

The vulcanologists announcement has confirmed the 27 February posting from this Service that White Island is hot.
The volcano is heavily degassing, pluming and whether or not it is erupting depends on just how close you are to the crater?
The vulcanologists observation that White Island was pluming from 24-25 February should be taken in context with their earlier announcement of a small Ruapehu quake swarm 22-23 Feb.
They are all linked.

The 5 August 2012 White Island eruption occurred one day before the 6 August 2012 Tongariro eruption and two weeks after Kermadecs undersea volcano Havre erupted.
They are all linked.

Spaceweather has eased tonight and White Island has stopped pluming.
Solar conditions seem likely to pick up again soon and fluctuate for several more days with a peak 3-4 March.
White Island may start pluming again 3-4 March in response to solar driving conditions.
An eruption seems possible or in a following forecast period approximately 22 March when solar conditions are once again strong.
Thanks.