Earthquake swarm on White Island could heighten landslide risk

Sunday, 26 May 2019

Twenty-two of the magnitude 3 or higher earthquakes have occurred throughout the past 24 hours.

A local earthquake swarm near White Island/Whakaari may increase the risk of landslides on the island.

GeoNet Volcanologist Natalia Deligne said 196 earthquakes have occurred near the Bay of Plenty island since Thursday, the largest of which were magnitude 3.9, 3.8 and 3.8

The swarm appears to be tectonic and unrelated to volcanic processes, she said.

Twenty-two earthquakes of magnitude three or greater have occurred in the last 24 hours, and the quakes continued to occur throughout the night.

The quakes are shallow and local, which could displace the softer material on the island, heightening the risk of landslides.

Observations are consistent with minor volcanic unrest, so The Volcanic Alert Level is set at level one, Deligne said.

Volcano Alert Level Two is a moderate to heightened risk of volcanic unrest.

An eruption can happen at any level, Deligne said.

'GNS science continues to closely monitor Whakaari/White Island and our other active volcanoes.'