Overall Green alert Volcanic eruption for White Island
in New Zealand

Event summary

Volcanic eruption White Island is expected to have a low humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.

Name: White Island
Lat/Lon: -37.52 , 177.18
Event Date: 09 Dec 2019 00:00 UTC
Exposed Population 30km: Few people affected
Exposed Population 100km: About 66000 people within 100km
Max Volc. Explosivity Index VEI: 3
Population exposure index: 2
Inserted at: 09 Dec 2019 14:59 UTC

GDACS Score

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Historical Timeline


Volcano Timeline

IDGDACS alert colorDateEruption DetailsSource
1 09 Dec 2019 00:00 WELLINGTON

Exposed population

The eruption happened in New Zealand , County of Bay of Plenty. The nearest places are Te Kaha, Ohope Beach, Omaio, Whakatane, Thornton, Houpoto, Poroporo, Opotiki, Torere, Waiotahi, and Waimana.

Radius Population
100 km 66000 people
75 km 35000 people
50 km <1000 people
30 km <1000 people
20 km <1000 people
10 km <1000 people
5 km <1000 people
2 km <1000 people

Detailed event map. European Union, 2024. Map produced by EC-JRC.
The boundaries and the names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the European Union.

Affected Provinces

Region Province Country Population
Bay of Plenty New Zealand -
East Cape New Zealand -
Waikato New Zealand 39000 people
Hawke's Bay New Zealand -
Wanganui-Manawatu New Zealand -
Auckland New Zealand 320000 people
Taranaki New Zealand -
Northland New Zealand -
Wellington New Zealand 150000 people

Affected populated places

Name Region Province Country City class Population Distance
Te Kaha Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village <1000 people 51 km
Ohope Beach Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 51 km
Omaio Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 52 km
Whakatane Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village 19000 people 52 km
Thornton Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 52 km
Houpoto Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 53 km
Poroporo Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 55 km
Opotiki Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village 4000 people 55 km
Torere Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 55 km
Waiotahi Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 56 km
Matata Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village <1000 people 56 km
Wainui Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 57 km
Awakaponga Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 59 km
Awakeri Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 59 km
Lower Waiawa Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 59 km
Edgecumbe Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 59 km
Pikowai Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 60 km
Kutarere Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 61 km
Pekatahi Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 61 km
Otamarakau Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 61 km
Taneatua Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 62 km
Raukokore Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 63 km
Otakiri Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 63 km
Waioeka Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 63 km
Nukuhou Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 65 km
Waihau Bay Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 65 km
Ohinepanea Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 66 km
Pukehina Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 67 km
Matahanea Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 68 km
Maketu Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village 1100 people 69 km
Waimana Bay of Plenty New Zealand Village - 70 km

see full list

Critical infrastructure

Airports, ports, nuclear plants and hydrodams at risk, if affected, are listed below.

Airports

Name IATA Code Elevation (m) Usage Runway type IFR Runway Length (ft) Distance
Whakatane WHK 6 Civ. Paved Yes 4100 50 km
Opotiki 8 Civ. Unpaved No 3400 57 km

Ports

Name LOCODE Country Distance
Whakatane New Zealand 50 km
Opotiki New Zealand 53 km

Dams

Reservoir Dam Name River Year Distance
Matahina Rangataiki 1965 73 km
Aniwhenua Barrage Rangitaiki 1980 94 km

Nuclear plants

Tsunami impact

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Tsunami affected locations


Initial conditions

More information

For a full list of available products related to this event, please refer to the GDACS Resources page.