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A steam plume coming from the crater lake on White Island was seen across the Bay of Plenty coastline today.
The white smoke from the active volcano about 48 km off the coast of Whakatane was seen from parts of the Western Bay of Plenty including Mount Maunganui, Papamoa and Te Puke.
A smoking White Island from Looking Glass Gardens in Te Puke. Photo: Jessica Brockett.
GNS Science reports although more activity is being recorded it is stable.
Earlier this week GNS Science increased the volcanic alert from "normal, non-eruptive state" to "experiencing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels".
The aviation alert code was raised from green to yellow.
Duty volcanologist Michael Rosenberg said this was due to the crater lake re-filling with gases causing it to steam “vigourously”.
Michael says between Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28 the lake level rose quickly by about 3 to 5metres.
“Vigorous flow of gas and steam through the new lake can be seen from the air.”
It’s current alert level is one.
The steam plume is sometimes seen coming from the island.
About 70 per cent of White Island’s volcano is under the sea.
People visiting the island are encouraged to take extra care.
Steam coming from crater lake on White Island today. Photo: Geonet.
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Posted on 06-08-2012 18:06 | By PLONKER
Looks like little room between the sea and the crate lip, could eb interesting if breached?