Eruption at White Island raises Alert Level to 3 after brief ash plume, New Zealand

A new volcanic eruption occurred at Whakaari/White Island, New Zealand, at 17:35 LT on March 24, 2026, producing a dark grey ash plume rising to about 1 300 m (4 265 feet) above the vent. Authorities raised the Volcanic Alert Level to 3 and the Aviation Color Code to Orange following the event. Activity has since ceased, but further explosive events remain possible with little or no warning. Source