White Island put on high alert after 'jets of gas shot up into the air 30m'

DEVELOPING NEWS: GeoNet has just confirmed early this morning that White Island is on an high alert after there is signs of new activity that could be leading to something "extravagant", flights over the volcano have also been put on alert after jets of gas were shot through its small lake and sediments being ejected 30 metres into the air.

"The potential for larger, more explosive eruptions that might impact on visitors to the island is always present. Any larger eruptions may occur with no warning to any visitors to the island," GNS Science said.

The aviation colour code was raised to yellow today, indicating White Island is showing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels. The volcanic alert level remains at level 1, which also indicates signs of volcanic unrest.

GNS scientists visited White Island today following an increase in volcanic tremor levels overnight and images of activity on cameras at the volcano.

Volcanologist Brad Scott said audible jets of gas were being shot through the small lake and broader expanding bubbles of dark lake sediments and debris were being ejected 20 to 30 metres into the air. The activity was similar to earlier this year.

Unrest started a year ago at White Island, leading to explosive eruptions and ash emissions last August.  There was a small lava extrusion in November, followed by phreatic, steam driven activity in December which continued through January and February this year.

Small amounts of ash were emitted at times throughout the sequence.

infonews.co.nz is confirming that visitors are at risk and must be ready for any emergency that may occur and to be ready, just as if it was an earthquake.

GNS Science has said that the Cook Strait earthquakes were not linked to the volcanic activity.

YELLOW LIGHT: Flights are either being diverted around the area or being put on high alert.

GNS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

FIRST @ INFONEWS.CO.NZ: "White Island has repeatedly produced very small volcanic earthquakes. These small tremor bursts are occurring like clockwork, approximately every 70 seconds, creating a unique pattern on our earthquake drum, with hundreds of these small bursts recorded every day. The earthquakes may be created by fluid moving through a pipe or crack, similar to a simmering cooking pot as steam escapes from the lid..." blogs Caroline Little, GeoNet Public Information Specialist

"an increase in volcanic tremor levels overnight and images of activity on the volcano cameras, a response visit was made yesterday afternoon. Volcanologist Brad Scott reported they saw two styles of activity in the active vent...."

RUAPEHU TALK

"Ruapehu Crater Lake appears to have returned to its more typical heating and cooling cycle after the temperature had remained below 25°C for the 15 months to March 2013. Since mid-April the lake temperature has been about 35°C. The colour of Crater Lake is currently dark grey; this is common during periods when the lake is warm: water and gases flow into the lake stiring up sediments on the lake bottom...." Blogs GNS Science Steve Sherburn

MOUNT TARANAKI GETS THE TICK

Mount Taranaki is still waiting for its time, 50 years is long enough for some Taranaki residents, they think that "when it happens it will be big because it has been so long" GNS Science can confirm it depends on lots of things not just time. 

"Mount Taranaki is steadling along well and is getting the tick, very good place for visitors at the moment" A GNS Science spokesperson told infonews.co.nz today.