White Island volcanic activity being monitored
Date/time: 20 August 2013; 1pm
Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group is monitoring the White Island situation based on the GNS
Volcanic Alert Bulletin which was sent out this morning.
This follows a small eruption that occurred at 10.23 am today. The eruption appears to have continued for about ten
minutes and mainly produced steam.
Local tour operators and other parties have been kept informed.
Based on GNS’s advice the main risk from any activity is to people visiting the island. As White Island is an active
volcano people visiting the island and vessels travelling nearby are advised that they should be cautious as an eruption
could occur at any time with little or no warning.
For up to date information, please view the latest Volcanic alert bulletin (http://info.geonet.org.nz/display/home/Latest+News)
Changes to the status will also be posted on the Group’s website www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz.
If this statement needs to be attributed, please do so to Clinton Naude, Group Controller Bay of Plenty Civil Defence
Emergency Management Group
ENDS