Volcanic Alert Level

In New Zealand, Volcano Alert Bulletins (VABs) are the official source of warnings and alerts including current Volcanic Alert Level (VAL),[1] intended to inform stakeholder agencies, authorities, and the public about emergencies so they can take action.

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, through The National Emergency Management Agency is responsible for providing such alerts to warn about natural hazards.[2] A Scientific Alert Level is applied to the Volcano Status based on Indicative Phenomena. GNS Science operates the national geological hazards monitoring network (GeoNet).[3]

Levels

The Volcanic Alert Level system has six levels ranging from 5 (major volcanic eruption) to 0 (no volcanic activity):[4]

Volcanic Alert Level Volcanic Activity Most likely hazards Example
5 Major volcanic eruption Eruption hazards on and beyond volcano -
4 Moderate volcanic eruption Eruption hazards on and near volcano 2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption
3 Minor volcanic eruption Eruption hazards near vent -
2 Moderate to heightened volcanic unrest Volcanic unrest hazards, potential for eruption hazards Whakaari / White Island in 2019 before eruption[5][6]
1 Minor volcanic unrest Volcanic unrest hazards -
0 No volcanic unrest Volcanic environment hazards -

Elsewhere

To help prevent harm when living or working on or near a volcano, countries have adopted classifications to describe the various levels and stages of volcanic activity, the two main volcano warning systems being colour codes and/or numeric alert levels. [7]

The three common popular classifications of volcanoes can be subjective and some volcanoes thought to have been extinct have erupted again.

References
  1. GeoNet: Volcanic Alert Bulletins
  2. www.civildefence.govt.nz Civil Defence Emergency Management Alerts and Warnings
  3. GeoNet: Whakaari/White Island - Updates
  4. https://www.geonet.org.nz/about/volcano/val
  5. "Volcanic alert level rises on White Island". Radio New Zealand. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  6. Volcanic Alert Bulletin WI – 2019/18
  7. "Volcanic Alert Levels of Various Countries". Volcanolive.com. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  8. The Sydney Morning Herald Mount Agung volcano alert in Bali downgraded

Volcanic Alert Level Summary
Whakaari/White Island Alert Level

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