On 17 February, the GeoNet volcanologists did an observation flight over the volcano.
Emissions of water vapor, gases and small amount of brown ash have continued to discharge from the 2019 vent area and have been avoiding the Main Crater wall.
The recent geyser activity built a shallow, mud-filled pit crater as small steam-laden explosions were ejecting mud and formed a small dark-grey cone around the vent.
FLIR thermal InfraRed data revealed that high temperatures continue in the gas and steam feeding the active vent. A maximum temperature of 435 °C was measured during the flight. A temperature of 172 °C was recorded from a different vent in the 2019 area. The water level of the lake has receded slightly in the past few weeks.
Volcanic Alert Level remains at level 2 and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.
Source: GeoNet New Zealand volcano activity update 23 February 2022
Video footage of continuous ash and gas emissions at White Island’s 2019 active vent (source: Brad Scott)
Whakaari/White Island: An observation flight on 17 Feb has confirmed that dilute ash emission continues from the 2019 active vent and the area of geysering activity has developed to form a pit crater. Read the full bulletin here: https://t.co/CMjNQGIVlx pic.twitter.com/ucpXAqkJ9j
— GeoNet (@geonet) February 22, 2022