Whakaari/White Island map shows the volcano's red zone
Thursday, 12 December 2019
A GNS Science risk assessment map shows where the staff 'no access' zones are on Whakaari/White Island.
The crater floor of Whakaari/White Island is still a high-risk area, with a further eruption looking increasingly likely, GNS Science said.
The maps were released at a National Emergency Management Agency media briefing in Wellington by GNS Science volcanologist Graham Leonard.
Leonard said they have been briefing police on the condition of the island that is 48 kilometres offshore from Whakatāne.
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The map features a large red zone around the crater which is a 'no go zone' for scientists.
Leonard said scientists would need a good reason to visit the zone shown in yellow on the map.
'Whakaari/White Island is an active volcano, and the estimated chance of an eruption is increasing every day,' Leonard said.
'Today is less safe than yesterday, and the day before that.
GNS is updating the risk map on a daily basis.
Tremors are still increasing on the island, with a 50 to 60 per cent likelihood of another eruption in the next 24 hours, according to GeoNet.