View of active vent area from the summit on October 4, 2013. Note how the active vent area in the centre has moved to the left and the pinky-red landslide debris in the foreground.

GNS scientists have discovered a new lake on White Island as a result of an eruption on August 20.

The new lake was discovered during an observation trip to the marine volcano off the Bay of Plenty coast on Friday.

Duty volcanologist Nico Fournier says the August 20 eruption created a new basin now filled with water located tens of metres northeast of the old lake.

He says gas fluctuations from the volcano also remains slightly elevated and is consistent with the small scale unrest occurring on the island.

'The lava dome area appears unchanged except for some small ponds in the area.”

Recent activity has moved the focus of activity within the active crater area. He says there have also been several landslides from the main crater walls.

'The landslides are most likely related to the recent weather events.”

View of active vent area from the summit on May 1, 2013.

Volcanic tremor levels have increased on the island off the Bay of Plenty coast since the eruption, but are at lower levels than those during its eruptive activity in January and April this year.

GNS Science volcanologists visited the island on October 4 to make gas measurements, repair equipment damaged by the recent storms and record observations.

Daily sulphur dioxide gas flux for the last month has ranged from 117 to 662 tons per day.

He says this is typical of the last 12-18 months, but higher than those measured before the unrest started in July 2012.

'While the eruptive activity at White Island is currently at a low level, eruptions similar to those experienced over the last 15 months are possible with no prior warning.

'The larger eruptions can eject mud and rocks and may impact the crater floor area to which visitors have access.”