Recent monitoring of Whakaari/White Island has confirmed the volcano is not erupting, Earth Sciences New Zealand says.

Gas flight observations last week and web camera imagery from the mainland have confirmed only moderate to low steam and gas emissions are occurring from the island’s active vent,Earth Sciences NZ said.

Measurements during the flight found levels of sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide had decreased since a flight on April 23. Activity has been consistent over the past two months, with no eruptive activity and no evidence of ash being emitted since April 7.

There are no sensors on the island currently, which means it cannot be monitored in real time.

Instead, the Earth Sciences New Zealand Volcano Monitoring Group and the National Geohazards Monitoring Centre must rely on remote cameras, satellite imagery and periodic gas and observation flights.

“The available data confirm the volcano is not currently erupting, with the overall activity remaining low,” it said.

The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2 (moderate to heightened unrest) and the Aviation Colour Code at Yellow.

“Eruptive volcanic activity can still occur with little to no warning. Future eruptions could affect the crater floor and immediate vicinity of the island, while ashfall affecting the mainland remains unlikely.”

No real-time monitoring of the island meant the organisation could not distinguish between Volcanic Alert Level 1 and 2.

“As a result, Whakaari/White Island will remain at least at Volcanic Alert Level 2 until on-island monitoring is reinstated.”