Minor volcanic eruptions and an increase in sulfur dioxide emissions suggest the presence of magma in the shallow system at Whakaari/White Island, volcanologists say.
Clouds above Whakaari have obscured webcam and satellite views, making it difficult to confirmed whether the minor eruption on Sunday has finished.
The volcanic island, located 48km offshore of Whakatāne, remains at a Volcanic Alert Level 3, indicating a minor eruption, and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Orange.
Alert Level 3 indicates there are eruption hazards near the vent.
Aviation Colour Code Orange means a volcano is exhibiting heightened unrest with an increased likelihood of eruption, or a volcanic eruption is underway with no or minor ash emission.
Duty volcanologist Ery Hughes said there is low probability of ash affecting the mainland if activity is continuing.
The TROPOMI satellite, capable of measuring sulfur dioxide emissions, measured emissions from Whakaari for the first time on Sunday since recent activity began in May.
Hughes said the satellite is less sensitive than regular gas observation flights and that this suggests emissions have increased.
"We will be conducting a gas observation flight when conditions allow to confirm this."
The sulfur dioxide emissions paired with minor eruptions containing ash observed over the weekend indicate magma has ascended to shallow levels below the island, she said.
"Shallow magma could cause high temperature gas venting, which will likely cause regular eruptive activity to continue."
Intermittent minor eruptions are occurring with hazards largely restricted to the island.
"Importantly, there is no current indication that activity will increase in magnitude," Hughes said.
GNS Science continues to closely monitor volcanic activity on the island with remote cameras and satellite imagery.
"Without an on-island monitoring network, changes in activity could occur at short notice and changes in Volcanic Alert Level may be delayed depending on monitoring conditions," Hughes said.
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