A combination of rain and calm weather instead of volcanic activity is being noted as the cause of the volcanic plume from White Island being more noticeable.

GNS Science volcanologist Michael Rosenberg says the amount of steam coming from White Island increased after rain drained into the action vent on the island.

Volcanologists say rain is the cause of White Island's volcanic plume being more noticeable.

He says gases still have to steam through and evaporate all the extra water, which is carried away in the plume people are seeing.

Light winds also meant the steam and gas were rising a few hundred metres higher than usual, which was part of the reason people were noticing the plume.

Michael says seismic activity around the volcano has remained pretty quiet although there has been a slight increase in the last few days, which is thought to be due to the rain and mud washing down and partially blocking the vent.

In February, the volcanic alert level was raised after ash was seen emitting from White Island.

Despite the increase in the alert level, volcanologists say the increase in activity posed no threat to people on the mainland.

The level has since been dropped one and the aviation code is yellow.