White Island eruption

Forums › Off topic › White Island eruption

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... | 25

5977 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4212

#2371314 9-Dec-2019 15:56

Fred99:

I'm not qualified to comment, but here's the publicly available monitoring data, general activity at the top (nothing much to see there), spectral analysis at the bottom. The gradually increasing level of activity is pretty normal and was commented on by Geonet. (I've been looking at these things out of interest for a long time). It waxes and wanes, usually nothing much happens. The quake then a sudden drop of activity about a day ago might have raised eyebrows. I'd conjecture that the drop in activity was because lava broke through rock (at depth), relieving pressure, then the rest is history.

Worth pointing out the Geonet data published on those pages is one bit of what they collect. If they had seen something in a dataset, they would have said something. They've been offering updates on White Island for the past few months.

The CNI volcanoes will just stack themselves with little to no warning sometimes. Short of the activity system and the seismographs, I'm not sure what else Geonet could reasonably do.

Behodar

11095 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6073

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2371315 9-Dec-2019 16:10

Another ambulance just hurtled past, so I suppose the ferry must just be turning up.

Beccara

1473 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 517

ID Verified

#2371316 9-Dec-2019 16:14

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has addressed the eruption at White Island at her weekly post-Cabinet meeting.

"At this stage we believe around 100 people were around or on the island at this stage not all of them are accounted for,” she said

Most problems are the result of previous solutions...

All comment's I make are my own personal opinion and do not in any way, shape or form reflect the views of current or former employers unless specifically stated

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10018

#2371319 9-Dec-2019 16:18

xpd:

Flightradar showing two small aircraft circling the island, MarineTraffic showing Whakatane Rescue 1 is pretty much on site.

Indeed. WPR2 circling / holding position at the SE of the island now. If there's a fresh burst from the crater, they'll need to get out of there fast. I have a very grim expectation for the outcome of this, better photos taken from boats show ash drop area right where the people were, and it wouldn't have been just ash, but rock fall and toxic gases and heat.

GV27

5977 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4212

#2371320 9-Dec-2019 16:21

Can't help but think sending aircraft into that area is the last thing they'd do if they could avoid it.

MikeB4

MikeB4
18775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12765

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2371324 9-Dec-2019 16:39

The alert level has been reduced to 3.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

DjShadow

4222 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1322

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2371336 9-Dec-2019 17:35

Close up footage of the eruption

tdgeek

30048 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9455

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2371367 9-Dec-2019 19:08

A lot of variables. Gradual small activity will relieve pressure. If that's interrupted pressure will increase, there may be swelling, then it releases. Magma and water in the crater causes explosions, same as that Iceland one a few years back that no one can pronounce. Id assume an active volcano such as White Island won't be ultra consistent, all it needs are leaks that cannot be broken and bang. However, it has a record of activity, but you cannot guarantee that with any magma leak, aka volcano.

vexxxboy

4336 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2072

#2371372 9-Dec-2019 19:26

https://twitter.com/sch/status/1203893996566634496/video/1

some good videos from an eyewitness

Common sense is not as common as you think.

GV27

5977 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4212

#2371388 9-Dec-2019 20:13

Light fading fast in Auckland - can't imagine it's different down in Whakatane.

frednz

1467 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 429
Inactive user

#2371400 9-Dec-2019 21:12

Fred99:

MikeB4:

The alert level has been at 2 for about the last month.

This from their previous bulletin:

Overall, the monitored parameters continue to be in the expected range for moderate volcanic unrest and associated hazards exist. The monitoring observations bear some similarities with those seen during the 2011-2016 period when Whakaari/White Island was more active and stronger volcanic activity occurred. Observations and data to date suggest that the volcano may be entering a period where eruptive activity is more likely than normal.

The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.

The Aviation Colour Code remains at Yellow.

I suppose the question that will now be asked is whether tours to White Island should continue "where eruptive activity is more likely than normal". In other words, should tour operators be obliged to inform tourists when the volcanic alert level is higher than 1, so tourists are fully informed and are willing to accept the higher risk of an eruption.

Sure, all of our activities are subject to some level of risk and perhaps you shouldn't close down tours just because there is a slightly greater than usual level of risk involved. But, in hindsight, don't you think there will be quite a few tourists who, in future, won't visit White Island when the volcanic alert level is at Level 2 or higher?

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

Dratsab

3964 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1728

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2371403 9-Dec-2019 21:48

frednz: I suppose the question that will now be asked is whether tours to White Island should continue "where eruptive activity is more likely than normal". In other words, should tour operators be obliged to inform tourists when the volcanic alert level is higher than 1, so tourists are fully informed and are willing to accept the higher risk of an eruption.

Sure, all of our activities are subject to some level of risk and perhaps you shouldn't close down tours just because there is a slightly greater than usual level of risk involved. But, in hindsight, don't you think there will be quite a few tourists who, in future, won't visit White Island when the volcanic alert level is at Level 2 or higher?

I would imagine Worksafe are going to have something to say on this matter in the not too distant future.

DarthKermit

5346 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3317

Trusted

#2371423 9-Dec-2019 23:00

Five confirmed dead at this stage. I'd imagine this will be the end of White Island tourism.

networkn

Networkn
32862 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15453

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2371425 9-Dec-2019 23:13

It's amazing to me that it's even an option in the first place.

Geektastic

18009 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8465

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2371430 9-Dec-2019 23:35

I've walked round it 6 times.

I suspect that tourism will be reduced to a spin round the island in a boat with no landings at the very least.

The air on the island is quite unpleasant to breathe: they give you respirators and you need them. The streams are acidic enough to turn copper coins shiny as new in moments.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ... | 25