Flights Canceled as White Island Volcano Spews Ash Across New Zealand

Wellington:The White Island volcano in New Zealand has erupted, sending a massive plume of ash into the sky and causing significant flight disruptions.

Air New Zealand, the country’s national airline, announced the cancellation of 10 flights on Thursday due to volcanic ash drifting across air routes at several domestic airports.

Government scientists have cautioned that Whakaari, as the volcano is called by the Indigenous Maori, could remain active for “weeks to months” ahead.

Located approximately 50 kilometers off New Zealand’s North Island and 200 kilometers from Auckland, the country’s largest city, White Island was once a popular tourist site. However, it has been closed to visitors since 2019, following a catastrophic eruption that claimed the lives of 22 people, who were on the island as part of a cruise excursion.

According to satellite imagery, “minor eruptive activity” began earlier this month, as reported by GNS Science in a monitoring update. The research institute noted that this recent activity appears to be part of Whakaari’s “typical eruptive cycles” and may persist for an extended period.

Scientists have also warned that residents on New Zealand’s main islands might detect the smell of volcanic gas or experience slight eye or throat irritation, though these effects are expected to be minimal.

Earlier this month, New Zealand raised its volcanic alert level for Whakaari to three on a five-level scale, indicating increased volcanic activity.