White island what type of volcano is it

An explosive eruption occurred on 5 August with a period of ash emissions. This was followed by heating in the Crater Lake and the extrusion of a small lava dome Oct-Dec Steam and sulphur explosions followed in Feb-April which removed the lake.

By June the lake was re-established. A further explosive eruption followed on 20 August and again on 4,8 and 11 October In November a large landslide slipped into the lake. White Island was in eruption from December to September , the longest and largest historic eruption episode.

This eruption episode developed many collapse and explosion craters. In April a moderate eruption impacting the whole of the Main Crater floor occurred, and was followed by ash emissions in September. Privacy Statement Disclaimer and Copyright. Staff Search. Global Ash Impact Posters. Eruption: What to do. New Zealand Volcanoes. More photos. The eruption consisted in weak ash emissions from a new vent in the Crater Lake.

It is the first ash emission from White Island in 12 years. Latest satellite images. Show more. First visit to our site? Try our free app! Prof Lindsay said it was possible there was no magma involved in Monday's eruption, which may have made it harder to detect. Prof Kennedy noted that the volcano had been in a "state of heightened activity" for the past eight years and that "the type of volcano it is means small eruptions can happen at any time" with little to no warning.

But, he said, high levels of sulphur dioxide were the "tell-tale sign" that prompted the raised alert in November. Monday's eruption was classified as "moderate" on the volcanic alert system, according to GeoNet.

Prof Kennedy said this was because it only affected the crater area. Including its underwater base, White Island is the largest volcanic structure in New Zealand. Officials said some 47 people from around the world were on the White Island when it erupted on Monday.

Thousands of tourists visit the volcano every year. It was bought by Auckland stockbroker George Raymond Buttle in He later refused to sell it to the government but agreed in to have it declared a private scenic reserve. The island is today still owned by the Buttle Family Trust. According to the New Zealand Tourism Guide, the owners of White Island Tours were appointed as the official guardians of the island and access is only granted through designated tour operators.

Government agency GNS Science "put out their alert bulletins and have good communication with tour companies and they know what the risk is", Prof Lindsay said.