New Zealand Raises Volcanic Alert After White Island Ash Eruption

WELLINGTON, Oct 21 (NNN-Xinhua) -- Earth Sciences New Zealand has raised the volcanic alert level for White Island after the volcano began continuously emitting small amounts of volcanic ash, reported Xinhua.

The agency said there was no threat to mainland New Zealand, apart from the possibility of a noticeable sulphur smell and light ashfall, Radio New Zealand reported on Wednesday.

The aviation colour code for the volcano has been raised to orange, the report said.

“The discharge was weak, with no evidence that any explosive eruption had occurred,” Earth Sciences NZ was quoted as saying.

The activity is typical of eruption cycles seen on the island and may continue for weeks, the agency said.

White Island, located 48 kilometres off New Zealand’s North Island in the Bay of Plenty region, is an active volcano and tourist attraction.

Its December 2019 eruption killed 22 people and injured 25 others.

--NNN-XINHUA