White Island could erupt at any moment

By Robert On January 25, 2013 · 11 Comments

Authorities have raised alert levels at New Zealand’s White Island, indicating that the volcano could erupt at any moment.

But exactly if, when, or how that may occur remains unclear. The off-shore Bay of Plenty volcano has been in an eruptive cycle since last August.

Over previous months, a jagged lava dome plugging magma below has emerged in the volcano, which is New Zealand’s most active.

Hydrothermal activity had also seen large amounts of sediment coming to the surface, often with vivid white steam and gas flashing from around the base of the volcano’s lake.

The unrest could result in explosive activity, extrusion at the volcano’s lava dome, or nothing at all, said GNS head of volcanology Dr Gill Jolly.

An eruption would likely have little or no impact on the mainland 48km away.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10861417

Thanks to Laurel for this link

11 Responses to White Island could erupt at any moment

Mark.R says:

January 25, 2013 at 10:21 pm

Yes its at level 1 now.
http://www.geonet.org.nz/volcano/info/whiteisland
- Robert says:
  
  January 26, 2013 at 12:23 am
  
  Thanks Mark.
  Readers, this link includes a webcam.
crosspatch says:

January 25, 2013 at 11:00 pm

Here’s an update from today’s gas flight:

http://info.geonet.org.nz/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=4292654
- Robert says:
  
  January 26, 2013 at 12:27 am
  
  Thanks George.
  Readers, this link says that “carbon dioxide (CO2) flux was 1,800 tons per day.”
  - Laurel says:
    
    January 26, 2013 at 4:55 am
    
    oh deary deary me, then theyll have to cut someones power or up the taxes.
    some french pollie before copenhagen was muttering about taxing aus cnada and usa extra cos we have big fires.
    all the nasty carbon,( actually it IS real proper carbon black, first n only time they got something right maybe?)
    then france copped some fires..and oddly?
    they shut up about it.
qf says:

January 26, 2013 at 12:51 am

If White Is. does a BIG one. Then theres a real chance of a Krakatoa like event with large tsunamis heading for the coast. Its extremely dangerous island with the potential of ocean flowing into the magama chamber.
Ross says:

January 26, 2013 at 12:52 am

That is what we need to help reduce world temperature even lower, how cold will it go.
Argiris Diamantis says:

January 26, 2013 at 1:09 am

There is more volcano activity in the world.
http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/erupting_volcanoes.html Mount Fuji in Japan is building up pressure.
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/mount-fuji-under-more-pressure-than-last-eruption
Laurel says:

January 26, 2013 at 4:32 am

they failed to mention if anyone lives there, would have a bugout bag ready if so.
at least it isnt on the mainland but 24 miles isnt far away:-(
frank says:

January 26, 2013 at 8:55 am

WHERE WILL THIS GO? WILL WE MAKE IT THROUGH THIS? ARE YOU PREPARED? IF YOU ARE NOT ASKING THESE QUESTIONS, START TO! THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PREPARED AND ARE KNOWLEDGABLE WILL BE THE ONES WHO WILL SURVIVE. THE VOLCANOES AND EARTHQUAKES ARE RAMPING UP MUCH QUIKER THAN I THOUGHT. IF I WERE A BETTING MAN AND I AM NOT I WOULD GIVE THE WORLD 2 YEARS MAX BEFORE THE STUFF HITS THE FAN…
Cliffhild says:

January 26, 2013 at 9:23 am

—To anyone living in Britain or North Western Europe, this may be a problem:

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/bardarbunga/news/27595/Bardabunga-volcano-Iceland-earthquake-swarm.html