A continuous low-level eruption was reported at White Island, with volcanic ash observed up to 3,000 ft (900 m) at 17:27 UTC on 22 October 2026. The ash cloud was moving north at 10 knots according to satellite and webcam data.
Original VAAC bulletin:
FVPS01 at 17:27 UTC, 22/10/26 from NZKL
VA ADVISORY
DTG: 20261022/1727Z
VAAC: WELLINGTON
VOLCANO: WHAKAARI/WHITE ISLAND 241040
PSN: S3731 E17711
AREA: NEW ZEALAND
SOURCE ELEV: 294M AMSL
ADVISORY NR: 2026/52
INFO SOURCE: H9 SAT IMAGERY, WEBCAM
ERUPTION DETAILS: ERUPTION AT 20261018/1944Z CONTINUOUS
LOW-LEVEL ERUPTION
OBS VA DTG: 22/1727Z
OBS VA CLD: SFC/FL030 S3732 E17707 - S3700 E17709 - S3703
E17740 - S3733 E17715 MOV N 10KT
FCST VA CLD +6 HR: 22/2327Z SFC/FL030 S3714 E17722 - S3752
E17725 - S3752 E17655 - S3716 E17652
FCST VA CLD +12 HR: 23/0527Z SFC/FL030 S3725 E17719 - S3757
E17720 - S3752 E17652 - S3722 E17708
FCST VA CLD +18 HR: 23/1127Z SFC/FL030 S3723 E17708 - S3724
E17717 - S3756 E17725 - S3758 E17702
RMK: VA FAINTLY IDENTIFIABLE ON NIGHT RGB SATELLITE IMAGERY.
VA HEIGHT EST FROM WEBCAM IMAGES. VA DISTRIBUTION FCST USING
MODEL GUIDANCE.
NXT ADVISORY: NO LATER THAN 20261022/2327Z=