Thursday, August 22, 2024 New Zealand’s White Island, also known as Whakaari, erupted on Thursday, sending a towering plume of volcanic ash into the atmosphere and disrupting air travel across the region. The eruption, which comes just four years after a deadly event on the same island claimed 22 lives, has led to significant concerns among scientists and aviation experts. The ongoing volcanic activity has forced the cancellation of flights and raised the alert level, with warnings that the venting could persist for weeks or even months.
The eruption on White Island, located approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) off New Zealand’s North Island and 200 kilometers from Auckland, began earlier this month. According to GNS Science, New Zealand’s geoscience research institute, satellite images captured “minor eruptive activity” that was consistent with the volcano’s typical cycles. These cycles, documented over years of observation, suggest that this latest bout of activity could be prolonged, possibly lasting for an extended period.
“This activity could continue for some time, weeks to months,” GNS Science warned in a monitoring bulletin. The eruption has elevated concerns due to the recent history of the volcano, which has been under close scrutiny since the tragic 2019 eruption. That event not only devastated the island but also led to a complete halt of tourist activities, leaving Whakaari isolated and less monitored.
The volcanic eruption has already had immediate consequences for air travel. Air New Zealand, the country’s national carrier, canceled 10 flights early Thursday as volcanic ash drifted across critical flight paths. The ash cloud posed a significant risk to aircraft, particularly due to the dangers associated with volcanic ash being ingested into jet engines.
This can cause severe damage, including clogging fuel lines, eroding engine parts, and potentially leading to engine failure. Volcanic ash also poses a hazard to other systems onboard aircraft. It can infiltrate cabins, reduce visibility, and interfere with electrical and computer systems, making it a serious concern for aviation safety.
Despite the resumption of flights later in the day, as the ash dissipated, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing monitoring required to ensure the safety of future flights. Volcanologist Adrian Pittari from the University of Waikato highlighted the risks, explaining that “ash in volcanic plumes is considered a hazard to aeroplanes because it is sucked into their engines, potentially clogging fuel lines, sticking onto engine surfaces and eroding parts.” The eruption of White Island has also underscored the challenges scientists face in monitoring the volcano.
Following the 2019 disaster, access to the island has been severely restricted, hampering efforts to maintain and repair seismic and geodetic monitoring networks. This lack of real-time data makes it difficult for scientists to fully understand the current activity within the context of previous eruptions. Simon Barker, a volcanologist from Victoria University in Wellington, emphasized the importance of these monitoring systems.
“The biggest issue with Whakaari at the moment is the number of unknowns with the lack of monitoring on the island due to the 2019 eruption and restricted access preventing the repair of seismic and geodetic networks,” Barker said. To compensate for the lack of on-the-ground monitoring, scientists have been relying on alternative methods such as gas flights, drone footage, and observations of ash emissions. These tools suggest that magma is very close to the surface, which could explain the ongoing and potentially prolonged activity.
The raised volcanic alert level, currently at three out of a maximum of five, reflects the uncertainty and potential risks posed by the ongoing eruption. The dangers posed by volcanic ash to aviation are well-documented, with historical incidents serving as stark reminders of the potential consequences. In the 1980s, Boeing 747 aircraft flying through concentrated ash plumes in Alaska and Indonesia temporarily lost all engine power, narrowly avoiding disaster.
These incidents have led to the establishment of a global network of Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAACs), which monitor ash plumes and weather patterns, providing crucial information to the aviation industry. Pittari explained that “the level of ash concentration in the atmosphere and the flight time in affected airspace are important considerations” for determining the safety of continuing flights in areas affected by volcanic activity. The VAACs play a critical role in helping airlines plan flight paths and make informed decisions about cancellations when volcanic eruptions occur.
The current situation on White Island remains volatile, with scientists cautioning that the eruption could continue for an extended period. The implications for both air travel and public health are significant. While the immediate threat to life has been minimized by the island’s closure to tourists, the ongoing volcanic activity could still have widespread effects.
Residents on New Zealand’s main islands have been warned that they might experience the smell of volcanic gases or mild irritation to their eyes and throats, although the impacts are expected to be minor. Nevertheless, the potential for further ash emissions remains a concern, particularly if the eruption intensifies. The aviation industry will need to remain vigilant, with continuous monitoring and potential flight disruptions as part of the new normal until the volcanic activity subsides.
For now, the focus is on ensuring safety while maintaining as much normalcy in travel as possible. The eruption of White Island is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of volcanic activity and its far-reaching impacts. The disruption of flights, the challenges in monitoring the volcano, and the potential for ongoing activity all highlight the need for robust safety protocols and continuous vigilance.
As scientists work to better understand and predict Whakaari’s behaviour, the lessons learned from this eruption will likely inform future strategies for managing volcanic hazards, both in New Zealand and around the world..
