White+Island

= = = = = White Island =

321 M (1,053 ft) above sea level



White Island Volcano, known as "Whakari" is an andesite stratovolcano which is located in New Zealand.

Captain Cook discovered our volcano October 1, 1769 .... he also discovered many different things.

Some of the dates that the White Island Volcano has erupted are: 2001, 1998-2000, 1998, 1995, 1986-94, 1983-84, 1976-82, 1974, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1968-69, 1966-67, 1962, 1959, 1958, 1957, 1955, 1947, 1933, 1930, 1928, 1926, 1924, 1922, 1909, 1808, 1886, 1885, 1856, 1836, 1826

White Island is currently New Zealand's most frequently active volcano. Frequent explosive eruptions present an obvious threat to the increasing amount of visitors to White Island, and to boats in close proximity offshore. The threat diminishes rapidly with distance, and no eruptions during the 160 years of White Island's written history large enough to produce significant effects on the bay of plenty coasts. However, recent scientific investigations have shown that White Island has a potential to produce large eruptions, although these are apparently unprecedented in the long life of the volcano.



(White Island Eruption)

News Articles Link #1= [|Allvoices.com - External Link] There was a tour boat touring the White Island Volcano. Also there was a big scene that came upon the people and coming out in front of the tour boat. The hot steam was coming out of the volcano and the ash gray cloud hung in the air. There was a loud awed silence that fell upon the crowd of the photo snapping tourists gathered on the boats bow as our vessel slowly grew its way toward the island's base.  The day was already eventful, during their 80 minute ride through the Bay of Plenty to White Island. The group pointed out groups of short-finned pilot whales as they broke the bay's surface as well as pods of bottle nose dolphins. Once on land however, the scene turned grim as the stepped onto a desolate landscape where heat emanated from the ground and virtually no vegetation survives.  The group shifted nervously as the subtext of as his announcement hit home. In the very unlikely event of an eruption, they would all probably die. Yet all the visitors to White Island should take comfort knowing that the volcano stands at an alert level of 1. While it is active and steaming, it is unlikely to erupt without notice.

Link #2= []

White Island is located in New Zealand. It stands at about 48 km off the Bay of Plenty coast. White Island is 100,000- 200,000 years old on the tip of the volcano. Above sea level White Island is about 16,000 years old. Another name that they called White Island is Whakaari which means ‘that which can be made visible as the island is often hidden by cloud, only to emerge in full view a few days later.  White Island was names after Captain James Cook on November 1st, 1769. James Cook believed White Island looked like a shrouded cloud of white steam. White Island is actually yellow in appearance. New Zealand people used White Island as a base for catching mutton birds. The first European to visit it was a missionary, Rev Henry Williams in 1826. The Island came private for European possession in the late 1830s. In 1953 the New Zealand government tried to buy it but they were turned down.  Sulphur mining went through many on and off stages until it had finished in the 1930s. Threats of eruptions closes mining down on several occasions, after the major Tarawera eruption on the mainland in 1866. In September 1914, after a new mining camp had been found on the island, a crater wall collapsed, and a lahar killed 11 miners who were sleeping in their huts. All of the buildings and equipments were destroyed. This event is considered one of the three major volcanic disasters in New Zealand.

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Situated off the Northern Coast of New Zealand's north island the country's only volcano White Island is a must see donation. White Island Tours offer daily boat trips to White Island. The boat trip takes about 90 minutes each way. The ride provides a opportunity for wildlife spotting with both dolphins and whales sighting in the area every once in a while. Passengers are provided to wear a hard hat and gas mask.  The depth of the lake in White Island crater is constantly changing and is used as guide to the volcanic active activity. The coloring of the lake is a result of teh acidic liquid which is PHO. People are able to stand on the rim above the lake and peer down into the acidic pool below. The Incessant bubbling is clearing audible from the rim and is an indicator of the lakes excessive temperatures.  White Island is to be a highlight of trip to New Zealand. It is a unique experience that will live long in the memory of any 10,000 tourists per year who visit the country's most active volcano. It is one of the world's most remarkable tourists attraction and provides a refreshing opportunity to be experience the force of nature at its most powerful. Taking over the island in 1936 it's new owners the Butte family declared "surely it is one of the wonders of the world" Few of the tourists privileged enough to have stepped foot on this natural wonder would disagree.

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