Flights in and out of the Bay of Plenty have been restored after being affected by a column of volcanic smoke.
The delays were caused by ash from Whakaari/White Island.
The volcano began a “period of minor eruption” on about August 9, GNS Science said, with “minor ash emissions” occurring. However, the stiuation had become disruptive with a shift in weather conditions, including northerly winds.
The institute’s cameras showed plumes of smoke rising from the crater this morning.
“Whakaari White Island has had on and off activity over the past month or so, but that has ramped up over two weeks with eruptions containing ash,” MetService Meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane told 1News.
Multiple flights were cancelled in both Rotorua and Tauranga airports as volcanic plumes sent ash flying across the eastern Bay of Plenty. (Source: 1News)
“The latest of those eruptions occurred overnight. With the wind direction over that area having turned northerly, it has brought the ash towards the country compared to the southwesterlies we’ve had recently that have been blowing it away from us.”
Flightradar24 showed the impacts at Rotorua and Tauranga airports.
At Rotorua, two outbound flights and one inbound flight were cancelled.
Do you have photos of the ash from Whakaari/White Island this morning? Send them to [email protected]
At Tauranga, two outbound flights and two inbound flights were cancelled. At least three outbound flights were significantly delayed.
Makgabutlane said: “Volcanic ash from an ongoing minor eruption on Whakaari White Island is drifting over eastern Bay of Plenty today.
Ash is falling from the volcano — but also rising
“GNS Science have indicated that ash fall — ash reaching the ground — is only occurring in the vicinity of the island, far away from the shores of the Bay of Plenty.
“However, drifting ash higher up in the atmosphere poses a hazard to aircraft,” she explained.
“Ash is likely overhead in coastal parts of eastern Bay of Plenty, but less likely further west towards Tauranga.”
Air New Zealand said at about 11.30am that flights have resumed operating normally out of Tauranga.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation to determine whether any further flights in or out of Rotorua will be impacted.
“The decision to cancel or delay flights this morning was a proactive safety measure,” the airline said.
Anyone travelling today was urged to check the Air NZ app for the latest updates on their flight.
“Going forward, volcanic ash is still possible overhead at least for the next 18 hours — which is how long we forecast for,” Makgabutlane continued. “The winds are expected to remain northerly during that time.
“Anything beyond that will depend on the activity of the volcano, which we will continue to monitor in collaboration with GNS.”
‘Damaging to engines and human health’
Professor Ben Kennedy, who worked at the University of Canterbury’s School of Earth and Environment, said the “small ash eruptions and gas plume” were to be “expected for this volcano”.
“The current wind direction means that the gas plume containing suspended ash is drifting across mainland New Zealand, and so disrupting airspace more than normal.
“Over previous weeks, the prevailing winds have carried this gas plume out to sea, where it can be more easily avoided.”
Kennedy said there was no current data showing the eruption would grow significantly.
“However, more data is needed to fully assess this possibility.
“Ash and volcanic gas can be damaging to engines and human health and so should be avoided.”
University of Auckland volcanology professor Shane Cronin also said the level of activity at Whakaari was likely to “remain annoying for a while”.
“By annoying, I mean that the semi-regular puffs of steam and gas cause unease as well as justified precautionary reactions by the aviation community.
“The ash content of the plume is generally low and this is of low hazard to people – the threat to aircraft is well known and precautions are well advised.”