Between 06:30 and 07:30 AM local time this morning, a vigorous steam and gas plume was observed emitting from the volcano to approximately 1000 meters. The plume appeared to contain a minor amount of ash, as seen from Whakatane webcam. Ash fall was limited to the island and its immediate western vicinity. According to the Metservice, no ash was detected beyond the island, and there is no ashfall threat to the mainland.
The volcano is currently experiencing a period of elevated unrest. With the drying of the vent area, such short-lived steam and ash emissions may become more frequent.
Although the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2, eruptions can still occur with little or no warning. The Volcanic Alert Level reflects the current level of volcanic unrest or activity and is not a forecast of future activity. While Volcanic Alert Level 2 is mostly associated with volcanic unrest hazards (including the discharge of steam and hot volcanic gases, earthquakes, landslides, and hydrothermal activity), the potential for eruption hazards remains.
Source: GeoNet New Zealand volcano activity update 26 July 2024