Earth and its distinct terrains have been formed over the course of millions of years. Sometimes an entire mountain range can be formed due to earthquakes caused by the movement of tectonic plates while at other times, a volcanic eruption can build new islands.

While we may have been a few million&nbsp;years late to observe how the Himalayan mountain range or the Andes had formed, scientists have discovered a 'baby'&nbsp;island in the Central Tonga islands, which is currently in its infancy.

Reportedly, the&nbsp;baby&nbsp;island has been born in the region due to an underwater volcano spewing lava, steam, and ash.&nbsp;A statement released by NASA Earth Observatory noted that one of the submerged volcanoes in the region awoke on September 10 and blasted its matter outside.

Within 11 hours after the volcanic eruption, the new island started to take shape above the water's surface which was visible in the images captured by NASA through satellites.&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/artemis-i-mission-nasa-delays-launch-of-its-new-moon-rocket-due-to-storm-ian-519351">Artemis I mission: NASA delays launch of its new moon rocket due to Storm Ian</a>

The scientists at NASA reported that by September 14, the estimated area of the island had grown to 4,000 square metres with an elevation of 10 metres. A week later on September 20, the island was sprawling across an area of 24,000 square metres.&nbsp;

According to Tonga Geological Services, the exact location of the nascent island lies&nbsp; northeast&nbsp;of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai, and northwest of Mo‘unga‘one.

“The volcano poses low risks to the aviation community and the residents of Vava’u and Ha’apai.&nbsp;All mariners are, however, advised to sail beyond 4 kilometers away from Home Reef until further notice,” informed the Tonga Geological Services in a statement.&nbsp; 
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While it is indeed fascinating and rather miraculous to witness an island develop in front of our eyes, such volcanic islands often have a short shelf life. However, a few exceptions do exist.&nbsp;

The researchers observing the island stated that the island could grow more as the home reef volcano was still erupting.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Earth and its distinct terrains have been formed over the course of millions of years. Sometimes an entire mountain range can be formed due to earthquakes caused by the movement of tectonic plates while at other times, a volcanic eruption can build new islands.

Earth and its distinct terrains have been formed over the course of millions of years. Sometimes an entire mountain range can be formed due to earthquakes caused by the movement of tectonic plates while at other times, a volcanic eruption can build new islands. While we may have been a few million years late to observe how the Himalayan mountain range or the Andes had formed, scientists have discovered a 'baby' island in the Central Tonga islands, which is currently in its infancy. Reportedly, the baby island has been born in the region due to an underwater volcano spewing lava, steam, and ash. A statement released by NASA Earth Observatory noted that one of the submerged volcanoes in the region awoke on September 10 and blasted its matter outside. Within 11 hours after the volcanic eruption, the new island started to take shape above the water's surface which was visible in the images captured by NASA through satellites. Read more: Artemis I mission: NASA delays launch of its new moon rocket due to Storm Ian The scientists at NASA reported that by September 14, the estimated area of the island had grown to 4,000 square metres with an elevation of 10 metres. A week later on September 20, the island was sprawling across an area of 24,000 square metres. According to Tonga Geological Services, the exact location of the nascent island lies northeast of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai, and northwest of Mo‘unga‘one. “The volcano poses low risks to the aviation community and the residents of Vava’u and Ha’apai. All mariners are, however, advised to sail beyond 4 kilometers away from Home Reef until further notice,” informed the Tonga Geological Services in a statement. × While it is indeed fascinating and rather miraculous to witness an island develop in front of our eyes, such volcanic islands often have a short shelf life. However, a few exceptions do exist. The researchers observing the island stated that the island could grow more as the home reef volcano was still erupting. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Baby island, in its infancy, discovered in Pacific Ocean after an underwater volcanic eruption

Indonesia's Mount Merapi unleashes a torrent of hot clouds, hundreds flee from their homes

The Tonga volcano erupted violently on January 15 and sent life in the small Pacific island nation into disarray. The country was cut off from the world for days as its only airport was rendered unusable due massive amount of ash.

Everyone knows that it was a major eruption. But just how horrific the power of it all is becoming more and more evident as days go by.

In addition to spewing lava, smoke and ash, the volcano explosion caused Earth's atmosphere to 'ring like a bell'.

NASA's chief scientist James Garvin has been quoted as saying that the volcanic eruption was 500 times as powerful as the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima towards the end of Second World War.&nbsp;

Effects of the volcanic eruption were felt thousands of miles away on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. The effects of the tsunami caused by the eruption were felt as far as Peru.

In addition to this, the volcano created atmospheric pressure waves that travelled around the world at speeds of around 650 miles per hour. Scientists say that these waves literally made Earth's atmosphere 'ring like a bell'.

But was this 'bell' audible? Unlikely.

The actual frequency of the sound waves was out of the auditory range of humans.

The Tonga volcano erupted violently on January 15 and sent life in the small Pacific island nation into disarray. The country was cut off from the world for days as its only airport was rendered unusable due massive amount of ash.

The Tonga volcano erupted violently on January 15 and sent life in the small Pacific island nation into disarray. The country was cut off from the world for days as its only airport was rendered unusable due massive amount of ash. Everyone knows that it was a major eruption. But just how horrific the power of it all is becoming more and more evident as days go by. In addition to spewing lava, smoke and ash, the volcano explosion caused Earth's atmosphere to 'ring like a bell'. NASA's chief scientist James Garvin has been quoted as saying that the volcanic eruption was 500 times as powerful as the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima towards the end of Second World War. Effects of the volcanic eruption were felt thousands of miles away on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. The effects of the tsunami caused by the eruption were felt as far as Peru. In addition to this, the volcano created atmospheric pressure waves that travelled around the world at speeds of around 650 miles per hour. Scientists say that these waves literally made Earth's atmosphere 'ring like a bell'. But was this 'bell' audible? Unlikely. The actual frequency of the sound waves was out of the auditory range of humans.

Tonga volcano explosion was so severe it made atmosphere 'ring like a bell'

It has been a week since a volcanic explosion engulfed the Pacific Island nation of Tonga. But residents here continue to struggle even now, with ash and the psychological fallout of the eruption along with the tsunami.

World rushes to tsunami hit Tonga's aid

A tsunami warning was issued by the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday (January 15) after an undersea volcano erupted. The Tonga Meteorological Services said the tsunami warning was in effect for all of Tonga.&nbsp;

Media reports have stated that the massive explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano was the latest in a series of eruptions. It was reportedly first erupted on Friday. CNN report mentioned it sent sending a plume of ash 20 kilometres into the air.

As per a news report by the Matangi Tonga news, scientists observed massive explosions, thunder and lightning near the volcano after it started erupting early Friday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the authorities in&nbsp;Fiji have also told the people to avoid the shoreline due to strong currents.&nbsp;

Residents have shared videos on social media platforms that showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas.

Some parts of New Zealand could expect "strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a large volcanic eruption," the National Emergency Management Agency said. &nbsp;

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that the Tsunami warning for American Samoa has been cancelled but the authority continues to monitor tsunami activity in the Southwest Pacific.

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Tonga's Hunga Tonga volcano just had one of the most violent volcano eruptions ever captured on satellite. <a href="https://t.co/M2D2j52gNn">pic.twitter.com/M2D2j52gNn</a>
— US StormWatch (@US_Stormwatch) <a href="https://twitter.com/US_Stormwatch/status/1482229220415721475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Mannnn my heart hurts for my people rn 😭🇹🇴🙏🏽 <a href="https://t.co/QjzW5f1uAy">pic.twitter.com/QjzW5f1uAy</a>
— Aki🌴🇹🇴 (@ahkee_fifita) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahkee_fifita/status/1482231327982186496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Satellite imagery by NOAA of the violent tonga eruption. Shockwave and blast can be seen on the bottom left. <a href="https://t.co/jGaLiW2MbW">pic.twitter.com/jGaLiW2MbW</a>
— Global: MilitaryInfo (@Global_Mil_Info) <a href="https://twitter.com/Global_Mil_Info/status/1482237597003005952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Stay safe everyone 🇹🇴 <a href="https://t.co/OhrrxJmXAW">pic.twitter.com/OhrrxJmXAW</a>
— Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau (@sakakimoana) <a href="https://twitter.com/sakakimoana/status/1482218193619865600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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A tsunami warning was issued by the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday (January 15) after an undersea volcano erupted. The Tonga Meteorological Services said the tsunami warning was in effect for all of Tonga.

A tsunami warning was issued by the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday (January 15) after an undersea volcano erupted. The Tonga Meteorological Services said the tsunami warning was in effect for all of Tonga. Media reports have stated that the massive explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano was the latest in a series of eruptions. It was reportedly first erupted on Friday. CNN report mentioned it sent sending a plume of ash 20 kilometres into the air. As per a news report by the Matangi Tonga news, scientists observed massive explosions, thunder and lightning near the volcano after it started erupting early Friday. Meanwhile, the authorities in Fiji have also told the people to avoid the shoreline due to strong currents. Residents have shared videos on social media platforms that showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas. Some parts of New Zealand could expect "strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a large volcanic eruption," the National Emergency Management Agency said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that the Tsunami warning for American Samoa has been cancelled but the authority continues to monitor tsunami activity in the Southwest Pacific. Tonga's Hunga Tonga volcano just had one of the most violent volcano eruptions ever captured on satellite. pic.twitter.com/M2D2j52gNn — US StormWatch (@US_Stormwatch) January 15, 2022 × Mannnn my heart hurts for my people rn 😭🇹🇴🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/QjzW5f1uAy — Aki🌴🇹🇴 (@ahkee_fifita) January 15, 2022 × Satellite imagery by NOAA of the violent tonga eruption. Shockwave and blast can be seen on the bottom left. pic.twitter.com/jGaLiW2MbW — Global: MilitaryInfo (@Global_Mil_Info) January 15, 2022 × Stay safe everyone 🇹🇴 pic.twitter.com/OhrrxJmXAW — Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau (@sakakimoana) January 15, 2022 ×

Video: Undersea volcano erupts in Tonga, tsunami warning issued

Scientists have declared a months-long volcanic eruption on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma officially over. According to officials, after bursting into action on September 19, the volcano suddenly went quiet on December 13.

Volcano eruption Spain's La Palma is officially over, says scientists

On Wednesday, Spain's Geological and Mining Institute (IGME) released drone footage that shows rivers of red hot lava flowing from Spain's La Palma's Cumbre Vieja volcano.

The footage shows volcanic tubes and torrents of molten rocks flowing fast through the various lava streams. The Spanish military emergency unit (UME) used a drone to assess the eruption's progress, showing thermal images of lava streams.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lockdown-ends-for-3000-la-palma-residents-as-volcano-cloud-passes-420154">Lockdown ends for 3,000 La Palma residents as volcano cloud passes</a>

Watch the video here:

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🔴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Erupci%C3%B3nLaPalma?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ErupciónLaPalma</a> 
 
📹Imágenes tomadas hoy por los drones del <a href="https://twitter.com/IGME1849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IGME1849</a> y <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GES?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GES</a> del relleno de sumideros de tubos lávicos que provocan su desbordamiento cubriendo una extensa zona en la parte baja del cono. <a href="https://t.co/G3feZ2DiP4">pic.twitter.com/G3feZ2DiP4</a>
— 1-1-2 Canarias (@112canarias) <a href="https://twitter.com/112canarias/status/1455558206990786567?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Cumbre Vieja, an active volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma, began erupting nearly a month ago, forcing thousands of people to evacuate as lava swept through towns, and towards the Atlantic Ocean.&nbsp;

This volcano has been described as the "most damaging volcano in Europe in the last 100 years." by the government of the Canary Islands.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lava-blocks-the-size-of-buildings-falling-from-la-palma-volcano-419644">Lava blocks the size of buildings falling from La Palma volcano</a>

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Volcanic lava has covered nearly 900 hectares (2,200 acres) of land since the eruption began on Sept. 19, more than 2,500 buildings have been destroyed.

As a result of the eruption, agriculture on the island, a major source of income, has taken a serious hit. In the aftermath of this eruption, hundreds of hectares of crops have been destroyed.

Watch |&nbsp;La Palma volcano enters explosive phase

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According to the government, a number of crops were affected, including banana plants, vineyards and avocadoes.&nbsp;

The eruption has forced more than 7,000 people to evacuate their homes, but no lives have been lost.

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On Wednesday, Spain's Geological and Mining Institute (IGME) released drone footage that shows rivers of red hot lava flowing from Spain's La Palma's Cumbre Vieja volcano.

On Wednesday, Spain's Geological and Mining Institute (IGME) released drone footage that shows rivers of red hot lava flowing from Spain's La Palma's Cumbre Vieja volcano. The footage shows volcanic tubes and torrents of molten rocks flowing fast through the various lava streams. The Spanish military emergency unit (UME) used a drone to assess the eruption's progress, showing thermal images of lava streams. Also read | Lockdown ends for 3,000 La Palma residents as volcano cloud passes Watch the video here: 🔴#ErupciónLaPalma 📹Imágenes tomadas hoy por los drones del @IGME1849 y #GES del relleno de sumideros de tubos lávicos que provocan su desbordamiento cubriendo una extensa zona en la parte baja del cono. pic.twitter.com/G3feZ2DiP4 — 1-1-2 Canarias (@112canarias) November 2, 2021 × Cumbre Vieja, an active volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma, began erupting nearly a month ago, forcing thousands of people to evacuate as lava swept through towns, and towards the Atlantic Ocean. This volcano has been described as the "most damaging volcano in Europe in the last 100 years." by the government of the Canary Islands. Also read | Lava blocks the size of buildings falling from La Palma volcano Volcanic lava has covered nearly 900 hectares (2,200 acres) of land since the eruption began on Sept. 19, more than 2,500 buildings have been destroyed. As a result of the eruption, agriculture on the island, a major source of income, has taken a serious hit. In the aftermath of this eruption, hundreds of hectares of crops have been destroyed. Watch | La Palma volcano enters explosive phase According to the government, a number of crops were affected, including banana plants, vineyards and avocadoes. The eruption has forced more than 7,000 people to evacuate their homes, but no lives have been lost.

Watch | 'Rivers of lava': Drone footage shows lava flowing from Spain's Cumbre Vieja volcano

The volcano on Spain's La Palma has been erupting for over a month, while casualties have been avoided due to timely evacuations, the volcano has so far ended up destroying over 1800 buildings, our next report brings you more.

Volcano eruption continues on La Palma, destroys over 1800 buildings

It started with minor earthquakes, then streams of lava began flowing and now there are fears of toxic gases- as the volcanic eruption in Spain's La Palma island intensifies.

Volcano on Spanish island La Palma continues to spew lava and black smoke

The Canary Islands' first volcanic eruption in 50 years has forced the evacuation of about 5,000 people, including around 500 tourists, and destroyed about 100 houses, officials said on Monday.

Watch: Lava stream destroys homes in Spain's La Palma island

The Cumbre Vieja&nbsp;volcano&nbsp;erupted on Spain's&nbsp;Canary&nbsp;Islands&nbsp;on Sunday spewing out lava, ash and a huge column of smoke after days of increased seismic activity, sparking evacuations of people living nearby, authorities said.

Cumbre Vieja, which last erupted 50 years ago, straddles a ridge in the south of La Palma island, home to around 80,000 people.

"The eruption started in the Cabeza de Vaca zone, in El Paso," the local government said on its Twitter account, adding that evacuations have started in the areas closest to the&nbsp;volcano.

"People are asked to be extremely careful and to stay away from the eruption zone to avoid needless risk," the government added.

The head of the Canaries region, Angel Victor Torres, said the zone was forested and "sparsely populated".

State television ran live coverage of the eruption during the late afternoon.

<img alt="Mount Cumbre Vieja erupts spewing out a column of smoke, ash and lava " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d268b0a1-8327-4e2b-a841-1a60b4bb4d9c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/volcano.jpg" />

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced he would head to the scene later Sunday "to follow developments".

"Given the situation La Palma island, the head of government has delayed his scheduled departure today for New York," to attend the UN General Assembly, a statement said.

"All the services are prepared to act in a coordinated fashion," Sanchez wrote on Twitter.

<img alt="The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on Spain's Canary Islands today spewing out lava, ash and a huge column of smoke after days of increased seismic activity, sparking evacuations of people living nearby, " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abde630e-46ab-4ad5-942e-dbcf8a5871f6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/volc3.jpg" />

The interior ministry said 200 members of the security services had been mobilised with a helicopter as back up.

<h2>&nbsp;Thousands of tremors&nbsp;</h2>

Experts had been keeping a close watch on the&nbsp;volcano&nbsp;after observing an upsurge in seismic activity and magma displacements.

An earthquake swarm under La Cumbre Vieja began a week ago and since then there had been thousands of tremors, the strongest with a magnitude of nearly four, the Involcan vulcanology institute said.

An earthquake swarm&nbsp;is a sequence of seismic events occurring in one place within a relatively short period of time.

The authorities had on Tuesday raised the alert level from green to yellow, the second of four levels, in certain areas around the&nbsp;volcano, meaning civil protection officials had to inform the public "to take precautions ahead of a possible volcanic eruption", under an emergency plan.&nbsp;

Involcan had reported a "significant ground deformation" as a result of "a small volume" of new magma flowing into the reservoir underneath the&nbsp;volcano, which amounted to 11 million cubic metres.&nbsp;

"Undoubtedly the current seismic swarm represents a significant change in the activity of the Cumbre Vieja&nbsp;volcano&nbsp;and is related to a process of magmatic intrusion beneath the island of La Palma," it said.

The Canaries, an archipelago of seven&nbsp;islands&nbsp;off of northwestern Africa, last recorded a volcanic eruption in 2011, undersea off El Hierro island.

Cumbre Vieja erupted twice in the 20th century -- in 1971 and in 1949.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on Spain's Canary Islands on Sunday spewing out lava, ash and a huge column of smoke after days of increased seismic activity, sparking evacuations of people living nearby, authorities said.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on Spain's Canary Islands on Sunday spewing out lava, ash and a huge column of smoke after days of increased seismic activity, sparking evacuations of people living nearby, authorities said. Cumbre Vieja, which last erupted 50 years ago, straddles a ridge in the south of La Palma island, home to around 80,000 people. "The eruption started in the Cabeza de Vaca zone, in El Paso," the local government said on its Twitter account, adding that evacuations have started in the areas closest to the volcano. "People are asked to be extremely careful and to stay away from the eruption zone to avoid needless risk," the government added. The head of the Canaries region, Angel Victor Torres, said the zone was forested and "sparsely populated". State television ran live coverage of the eruption during the late afternoon. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced he would head to the scene later Sunday "to follow developments". "Given the situation La Palma island, the head of government has delayed his scheduled departure today for New York," to attend the UN General Assembly, a statement said. "All the services are prepared to act in a coordinated fashion," Sanchez wrote on Twitter. The interior ministry said 200 members of the security services had been mobilised with a helicopter as back up. Thousands of tremors Experts had been keeping a close watch on the volcano after observing an upsurge in seismic activity and magma displacements. An earthquake swarm under La Cumbre Vieja began a week ago and since then there had been thousands of tremors, the strongest with a magnitude of nearly four, the Involcan vulcanology institute said. An earthquake swarm is a sequence of seismic events occurring in one place within a relatively short period of time. The authorities had on Tuesday raised the alert level from green to yellow, the second of four levels, in certain areas around the volcano, meaning civil protection officials had to inform the public "to take precautions ahead of a possible volcanic eruption", under an emergency plan. Involcan had reported a "significant ground deformation" as a result of "a small volume" of new magma flowing into the reservoir underneath the volcano, which amounted to 11 million cubic metres. "Undoubtedly the current seismic swarm represents a significant change in the activity of the Cumbre Vieja volcano and is related to a process of magmatic intrusion beneath the island of La Palma," it said. The Canaries, an archipelago of seven islands off of northwestern Africa, last recorded a volcanic eruption in 2011, undersea off El Hierro island. Cumbre Vieja erupted twice in the 20th century -- in 1971 and in 1949.

Volcano erupts on Spain's Canary Islands

Amid fears that the Mount Nyiragongo volcano may erupt again, over 400,000 people have fled the city of Goma in the DR Congo. Tens of thousands of people are gathered west of the city in Sake, AFP reported. Authorities are gearing up to help all in need.

Last weekend, Nyiragongo erupted - instilling fear among the inhabitants of regions nearby Africa’s most active volcano.

Over three dozen lives have been lost to the eruption from last week. Homes of 20,000 were also destroyed in the event.

Since the eruption, hundreds of aftershocks have been reported in the area. Scientists are worried about a “liming eruption”, which could fill the area with suffocating carbon dioxide.&nbsp;Experts carrying&nbsp;out a risk assessment at the volcano's summit, said "seismicity and ground deformation continues to indicate the presence of magma under the Goma area, with an extension under Lake Kivu."

"People should remain vigilant and listen to news bulletins, as the situation 'may change quickly'", it warned.

A report from Friday showed that 80,000 households constituting 400,000 people had evacuated the area on Thursday after a “preventive” evacuation was ordered.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/thousands-flee-goma-after-congo-warns-of-possible-new-volcano-eruption-387830" hreflang="en">Thousands flee Goma after Congo warns of possible new volcano eruption</a>

Rwandan President Paul Kagame said those evacuating needed "urgent, global support". Most of the people fled to Sake or the Rwandan border in the northeast. Many have also left the are via boat across Lake Kivu.

Over 10,000 people are currently taking refuge in Bukavu along the southern bank of Lake Kivu, according to governor Theo Ngwabidje. On Friday afternoon, fresh fears erupted in the minds of people after black smoke was seen emerging from the crater.

General Constant Ndima, the military governor of North Kivu province has reportedly ordered the evacuation of many districts. This affects nearly 400,000 out of Goma's 600,000 residents, according to an estimate provided by the United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/dr-congos-goma-hit-by-tremors-after-volcanic-eruption-scores-still-missing-387191" hreflang="en">DR Congo's Goma hit by tremors after volcanic eruption, scores still missing&nbsp;</a>

Amid fears that the Mount Nyiragongo volcano may erupt again, over 400,000 people have fled the city of Goma in the DR Congo. Tens of thousands of people are gathered west of the city in Sake, AFP reported.

Amid fears that the Mount Nyiragongo volcano may erupt again, over 400,000 people have fled the city of Goma in the DR Congo. Tens of thousands of people are gathered west of the city in Sake, AFP reported. Authorities are gearing up to help all in need. Last weekend, Nyiragongo erupted - instilling fear among the inhabitants of regions nearby Africa’s most active volcano. Over three dozen lives have been lost to the eruption from last week. Homes of 20,000 were also destroyed in the event. Since the eruption, hundreds of aftershocks have been reported in the area. Scientists are worried about a “liming eruption”, which could fill the area with suffocating carbon dioxide. Experts carrying out a risk assessment at the volcano's summit, said "seismicity and ground deformation continues to indicate the presence of magma under the Goma area, with an extension under Lake Kivu." "People should remain vigilant and listen to news bulletins, as the situation 'may change quickly'", it warned. A report from Friday showed that 80,000 households constituting 400,000 people had evacuated the area on Thursday after a “preventive” evacuation was ordered. Also read: Thousands flee Goma after Congo warns of possible new volcano eruption Rwandan President Paul Kagame said those evacuating needed "urgent, global support". Most of the people fled to Sake or the Rwandan border in the northeast. Many have also left the are via boat across Lake Kivu. Over 10,000 people are currently taking refuge in Bukavu along the southern bank of Lake Kivu, according to governor Theo Ngwabidje. On Friday afternoon, fresh fears erupted in the minds of people after black smoke was seen emerging from the crater. General Constant Ndima, the military governor of North Kivu province has reportedly ordered the evacuation of many districts. This affects nearly 400,000 out of Goma's 600,000 residents, according to an estimate provided by the United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA. Also read: DR Congo's Goma hit by tremors after volcanic eruption, scores still missing

'Situation may change quickly': Over 400,000 flee Congo amid fears of another volcanic eruption

The government of Democratic Republic of Congo said on Saturday that eruption of second volcano was a 'false alarm'. The government had made an announcement about the eruption just hours ago. This came just a week after Mount Nyiragongo erupted causing devastation and mass exodus.

The government had said that Murara volcano had a "low intensity" eruption on Saturday morning sending lava flowing into an uninhabited area of Virunga Park.&nbsp;

Virunga Park is a wildlife reserve home to a quarter of the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Murara is a small volcano considered to be a crater of Mount Nyamuragira, which along with Nyiragongo is known for strong volcanic activity.

However, the communications ministry then issued another statement saying "false alarm on Nyamuragira".

"A plane has just flown over the entire area on the sides of this volcano. No eruption was observed," it added.

"It was instead intense activities of carbonising wood into charcoal, the smoke of which was perceived as volcanic activity."&nbsp;

Aerial images of Nyamuragira taken Saturday morning and viewed by AFP showed just a few wisps of white smoke in the volcano's crater.

Murara rises 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of Goma, capital of North Kivu province.

Mass evacuation

City in the shadow of Nyiragongo, Africa's most active volcano is still living in fear since the eruption on last Saturday. The strato-volcano spewed rivers of lava that claimed nearly three dozen lives and destroyed the homes of some 20,000 people before the eruption stopped.

Hundreds of aftershocks have rocked the region since and around 400,000 people have been evacuated from Goma.

(With inputs from agencies)

The government of Democratic Republic of Congo said on Saturday that eruption of second volcano was a 'false alarm'. The government had made an announcement about the eruption just hours ago.

The government of Democratic Republic of Congo said on Saturday that eruption of second volcano was a 'false alarm'. The government had made an announcement about the eruption just hours ago. This came just a week after Mount Nyiragongo erupted causing devastation and mass exodus. The government had said that Murara volcano had a "low intensity" eruption on Saturday morning sending lava flowing into an uninhabited area of Virunga Park. Virunga Park is a wildlife reserve home to a quarter of the world's critically endangered mountain gorillas. Murara is a small volcano considered to be a crater of Mount Nyamuragira, which along with Nyiragongo is known for strong volcanic activity. However, the communications ministry then issued another statement saying "false alarm on Nyamuragira". "A plane has just flown over the entire area on the sides of this volcano. No eruption was observed," it added. "It was instead intense activities of carbonising wood into charcoal, the smoke of which was perceived as volcanic activity." Aerial images of Nyamuragira taken Saturday morning and viewed by AFP showed just a few wisps of white smoke in the volcano's crater. Murara rises 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of Goma, capital of North Kivu province. Mass evacuation City in the shadow of Nyiragongo, Africa's most active volcano is still living in fear since the eruption on last Saturday. The strato-volcano spewed rivers of lava that claimed nearly three dozen lives and destroyed the homes of some 20,000 people before the eruption stopped. Hundreds of aftershocks have rocked the region since and around 400,000 people have been evacuated from Goma. (With inputs from agencies)

Warning on second DR Congo volcano eruption a 'false alarm'

Congo’s Mount Nyiragongo volcano erupted for the first time in nearly two decades, turning the night sky a fiery red and sending lava onto a major highway as panicked residents tried to flee Goma.

Congo's Mount Nyiragongo volcano erupts after nearly 2 decades

LA Soufriere Volcano on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent continues to erupt on Saturday, covering the country rapidly with a thick layer of ash and a strong smell of sulfur. White color dust has covered around the island including in its capital Kingstown.

St. Vincent covered in ash as LA Soufriere Volcano eruption continues

Ash covered much of the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent on Saturday, and the stench of sulphur filled the air after a series of eruptions from a volcano that had been quiet for decades.

The whitish powder caked roads, homes and buildings after the powerful blasts from the volcano called La Soufriere that began Friday and continued into the night.

"Saturday morning on the island of over 110,000 residents looked like a winter wonderland, albeit blanketed by ash," the news portal news784.com said.

Visibility in some areas was extremely limited, while in the capital city Kingstown on the south of the island -- the volcano is in the north -- the ash caused a thin haze of dust, the portal said.

"Vincentians are waking up to extremely heavy ash fall and strong sulphur smells which have now advanced to the capital," the local emergency management agency tweeted.

The eruptions prompted thousands of people to flee for safety. Around 16,000 people live in areas that are now under evacuation orders.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said Saturday that water has been cut off in most areas and the country's air space is closed because of the ash. Around 3,000 people spent the night in shelters.

"It's a huge operation that is facing us," Gonsalves told NBC News.

He said his government has been in contact with other countries that want to provide aid. Guyana and Venezuela are sending ships with supplies, Gonsalves said. &nbsp;

The initial blast from La Soufriere, the highest peak in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, sent plumes of hot ash and smoke 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) into the air Friday morning.

A second, smaller eruption took place Friday afternoon, belching out a 4,000-meter-high ash cloud, the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre said.

The 1,235-meter La Soufriere -- the name is French for "sulphur mine" -- had not erupted since 1979, and its largest blow-up happened over a century ago, killing more than 1,000 people in 1902.

It had been rumbling for months before it finally blew.

Evacuation orders

Zen Punnett, who lives on the 30-kilometer-long island, said people panicked Thursday night as the evacuation orders came out, but things were calmer Friday.

"I can feel and hear rumbling here in the green safe zone. We can see a huge ball of smoke. Keeping calm as much as possible and praying," Punnett said Friday.

As of early Friday afternoon, most of the people in the red zone had been moved to safety, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency said.

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises said they were sending two ships to assist the evacuation effort.&nbsp;

'Scared out of their wits'

Gonsalves said Friday that more ships from cruise liner company Carnival were also on their way.

Those evacuated would be taken to shelters elsewhere in the island chain or other Caribbean territories that have offered assistance, such as Barbados and Saint Lucia, according to local media.

Philmore Mullin, director of Antigua and Barbuda's National Office of Disaster Services, told AFP the twin island nation was ready to receive evacuees from Saint Vincent.

"I know for sure they will be scared out of their wits. The question is, what will happen after they move? Volcanoes don't tell you what they are thinking," said Mullin.

"If it continues to erupt for a long time, it will be life-changing for them. And, depending on the type of eruption, they might not be able to get back home for years."

Ash covered much of the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent on Saturday, and the stench of sulphur filled the air after a series of eruptions from a volcano that had been quiet for decades.

Ash covered much of the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent on Saturday, and the stench of sulphur filled the air after a series of eruptions from a volcano that had been quiet for decades. The whitish powder caked roads, homes and buildings after the powerful blasts from the volcano called La Soufriere that began Friday and continued into the night. "Saturday morning on the island of over 110,000 residents looked like a winter wonderland, albeit blanketed by ash," the news portal news784.com said. Visibility in some areas was extremely limited, while in the capital city Kingstown on the south of the island -- the volcano is in the north -- the ash caused a thin haze of dust, the portal said. "Vincentians are waking up to extremely heavy ash fall and strong sulphur smells which have now advanced to the capital," the local emergency management agency tweeted. The eruptions prompted thousands of people to flee for safety. Around 16,000 people live in areas that are now under evacuation orders. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said Saturday that water has been cut off in most areas and the country's air space is closed because of the ash. Around 3,000 people spent the night in shelters. "It's a huge operation that is facing us," Gonsalves told NBC News. He said his government has been in contact with other countries that want to provide aid. Guyana and Venezuela are sending ships with supplies, Gonsalves said. The initial blast from La Soufriere, the highest peak in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, sent plumes of hot ash and smoke 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) into the air Friday morning. A second, smaller eruption took place Friday afternoon, belching out a 4,000-meter-high ash cloud, the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre said. The 1,235-meter La Soufriere -- the name is French for "sulphur mine" -- had not erupted since 1979, and its largest blow-up happened over a century ago, killing more than 1,000 people in 1902. It had been rumbling for months before it finally blew. Evacuation orders Zen Punnett, who lives on the 30-kilometer-long island, said people panicked Thursday night as the evacuation orders came out, but things were calmer Friday. "I can feel and hear rumbling here in the green safe zone. We can see a huge ball of smoke. Keeping calm as much as possible and praying," Punnett said Friday. As of early Friday afternoon, most of the people in the red zone had been moved to safety, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency said. Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises said they were sending two ships to assist the evacuation effort. 'Scared out of their wits' Gonsalves said Friday that more ships from cruise liner company Carnival were also on their way. Those evacuated would be taken to shelters elsewhere in the island chain or other Caribbean territories that have offered assistance, such as Barbados and Saint Lucia, according to local media. Philmore Mullin, director of Antigua and Barbuda's National Office of Disaster Services, told AFP the twin island nation was ready to receive evacuees from Saint Vincent. "I know for sure they will be scared out of their wits. The question is, what will happen after they move? Volcanoes don't tell you what they are thinking," said Mullin. "If it continues to erupt for a long time, it will be life-changing for them. And, depending on the type of eruption, they might not be able to get back home for years."

St Vincent evacuating thousands after volcano eruption, return unsure

Thousands of visitors have been drawn to the Icelandic volcano which erupted on March 19 as it continues to spew out lava. Since the eruption started, people have hiked to the site on the Reykjanes Peninsula, some 30 kilometres southwest of the capital, hoping to be awed by the rare lava fountains.

Playing volleyball or cooking hot dogs, spectacular 'lava show' draws visitors to Icelandic volcano

After lying dormant for 6,000 years, a volcano in Iceland erupted over the weekend. The 'minor' eruption has become a public spectacle than a public safety hazard. WION's Molly Gambhir gets you this report.

Gravitas: Iceland wakes from 6,000-year slumber

Iceland is staring at an imminent volcanic eruption. Thousands of earthquakes in the past few days have rattled its people and sleepless nights and a tireless wait for an eruption. WION brings you a report.

WION Dispatch: Iceland threat of volcanic eruption after thousands of quakes

Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano erupted on Sunday covering nearby town in ash and smoke. WION brings you a report.

Mount Etna volcano erupts covering nearby town in ash

Thousands have fled the scene of a rumbling Indonesian volcano that burst to life for the first time in several years, belching a massive column of smoke and ash, the disaster agency said Monday.

The evacuation of more than 4,400 residents came as Mount Ili Lewotolok erupted Sunday, spouting a thick tower of debris four kilometres (2.5 miles) into the sky, triggering a flight warning and the closure of a local airport.

The crater's last major eruption was in 2017.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volcano-erupts-in-indonesia-throws-up-smoke-four-kilometres-in-air-346278">Volcano erupts in Indonesia, throws up smoke four kilometres in air</a>

There were no reports of injuries or damage from the eruption in a remote part of the Southeast Asian archipelago.

But authorities advised residents to wear masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash spouting from the crater in East Nusa Tenggara -- the southernmost province of Indonesia -- and to be alert for possible lava flows.

"To minimise the health impact from volcanic ash, it is recommended that people wear a mask or other equipment to protect their eyes and skin," National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Raditya Jati said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/skeletons-of-rich-man-and-his-male-slave-found-from-ashes-at-pompeii-excavation-344621">Skeletons of rich man and his 'male slave' found from ashes at Pompeii excavation</a>

A two-kilometre no-go zone around the crater was also expanded to four kilometres after Sunday's eruption, while flights were advised to steer clear of the area as volcanic ash rained down on the local Wunopitu airport, which was temporarily closed.

Indonesia is home to about 130 active volcanoes due to its position on the "Ring of Fire", a belt of tectonic plate boundaries circling the Pacific Ocean where frequent seismic activity occurs.

In late 2018, a volcano in the strait between Java and Sumatra islands erupted, causing an underwater landslide that unleashed a tsunami which killed more than 400 people.

Thousands have fled the scene of a rumbling Indonesian volcano that burst to life for the first time in several years, belching a massive column of smoke and ash, the disaster agency said Monday.

Thousands have fled the scene of a rumbling Indonesian volcano that burst to life for the first time in several years, belching a massive column of smoke and ash, the disaster agency said Monday. The evacuation of more than 4,400 residents came as Mount Ili Lewotolok erupted Sunday, spouting a thick tower of debris four kilometres (2.5 miles) into the sky, triggering a flight warning and the closure of a local airport. The crater's last major eruption was in 2017. Also read| Volcano erupts in Indonesia, throws up smoke four kilometres in air There were no reports of injuries or damage from the eruption in a remote part of the Southeast Asian archipelago. But authorities advised residents to wear masks to protect themselves from volcanic ash spouting from the crater in East Nusa Tenggara -- the southernmost province of Indonesia -- and to be alert for possible lava flows. "To minimise the health impact from volcanic ash, it is recommended that people wear a mask or other equipment to protect their eyes and skin," National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Raditya Jati said. Also read| Skeletons of rich man and his 'male slave' found from ashes at Pompeii excavation A two-kilometre no-go zone around the crater was also expanded to four kilometres after Sunday's eruption, while flights were advised to steer clear of the area as volcanic ash rained down on the local Wunopitu airport, which was temporarily closed. Indonesia is home to about 130 active volcanoes due to its position on the "Ring of Fire", a belt of tectonic plate boundaries circling the Pacific Ocean where frequent seismic activity occurs. In late 2018, a volcano in the strait between Java and Sumatra islands erupted, causing an underwater landslide that unleashed a tsunami which killed more than 400 people.

Thousands flee as Indonesian volcano bursts to life

Pacaya volcano erupts in Central America; no damage reported

The eruption of a volcano in Ecuador's Amazon region left several cities covered in ash, fueling concerns of a potential health impact as the South American nation slowly emerges from a brutal coronavirus outbreak.

Ecuador volcano erupts, leaves cities in ash

One of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, Mount Merapi, erupted Tuesday morning, spewing a column of thick ash by up to six kilometers high.

Indonesia's most active volcano Mount Merapi erupts

An erupting volcano in the Philippine capital on Monday spewed lava and broad columns of ash, which grounded hundreds of flights amid an alert for a possible "explosive eruption".&nbsp;

Officials have also warned of a possible "<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51086961">volcanic tsunami</a>", which can be caused by falling debris after an eruption, reported BBC.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-suspends-manila-airport-flights-as-volcano-spews-ash-273803">Philippines suspends Manila airport flights as volcano spews ash</a>

Homes and streets in the region surrounding the Taal volcano, which blasted on Sunday along with a series of earthquakes, were coated in fine grit and nearly 10,000 people had sought refuge in evacuation centres.

<img alt="Philippine volcano" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="48cd505b-d106-47d9-863c-e331e3f56cd1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1NN8S3.jpg" />

(A resident uses a shovel to clear mud and ash spewed by Taal volcano at a development in Tanauan town,&nbsp;Philippine | Photo Credit: AFP)&nbsp;

"You could not sleep anymore, because every time you closed your eyes the house would shake," restaurant owner Lia Monteverde said.&nbsp;

"All of us didn't sleep at all. We just prepared to leave."&nbsp;

<img alt="Philippine volcano" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8e864008-b669-4557-8eca-8783c2c4962d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/hL92U9n6.jpg" />

(Visuals of Taal volcano | Photo Credit: AFP)

Taal, which is in the south of Manila, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. &nbsp;

Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common in the country because of its position in Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide deep below the Earth's surface.&nbsp;

As a precautionary step, schools, government offices around the area and Philippine Stock Exchange were closed on Monday.&nbsp;

Aviation officials said that they are making efforts to resume flights at Manila's main international airport, after they were shut down due to the threat of volcanic ash affecting planes. &nbsp;

The eruption started with an explosion of superheated steam and rock, but by early Monday "fountains" of lava had been detected on Taal, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Second-highest level of alert was raised on Sunday, saying an "explosive eruption" could happen in "hours to days".

(with AFP inputs) 
&nbsp;

An erupting volcano in the Philippine capital on Monday spewed lava and broad columns of ash, which grounded hundreds of flights amid an alert for a possible "explosive eruption".

An erupting volcano in the Philippine capital on Monday spewed lava and broad columns of ash, which grounded hundreds of flights amid an alert for a possible "explosive eruption". Officials have also warned of a possible "volcanic tsunami", which can be caused by falling debris after an eruption, reported BBC. Also read: Philippines suspends Manila airport flights as volcano spews ash Homes and streets in the region surrounding the Taal volcano, which blasted on Sunday along with a series of earthquakes, were coated in fine grit and nearly 10,000 people had sought refuge in evacuation centres. (A resident uses a shovel to clear mud and ash spewed by Taal volcano at a development in Tanauan town, Philippine | Photo Credit: AFP) "You could not sleep anymore, because every time you closed your eyes the house would shake," restaurant owner Lia Monteverde said. "All of us didn't sleep at all. We just prepared to leave." (Visuals of Taal volcano | Photo Credit: AFP) Taal, which is in the south of Manila, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common in the country because of its position in Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide deep below the Earth's surface. As a precautionary step, schools, government offices around the area and Philippine Stock Exchange were closed on Monday. Aviation officials said that they are making efforts to resume flights at Manila's main international airport, after they were shut down due to the threat of volcanic ash affecting planes. The eruption started with an explosion of superheated steam and rock, but by early Monday "fountains" of lava had been detected on Taal, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. Second-highest level of alert was raised on Sunday, saying an "explosive eruption" could happen in "hours to days". (with AFP inputs)

Philippines: Officials warn of tsunami as volcano spews ash, lava

New Zealand police said on Tuesday they were ending the search for the bodies of two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/probes-into-new-zealand-volcano-tragedy-to-take-months-and-carry-criminal-penalties-268452">people still missing</a> following the deadly eruption of a volcano earlier this month.

"The search for the two missing victims of the Whakaari/<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/white-island-volcano-unexpectedly-erupts-in-new-zealand-267230">White Island eruption</a> has been suspended," Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Andy McGregor said in a statement.

"The families of the two missing people have been informed of this decision. Police remain ready to respond if new information comes to light," he added.

Those still missing, presumed dead, are Winona Langford, a 17-year-old Australian tourist, and Hayden Marshall-Inman, a 40-year-old New Zealand tour guide. Their bodies are thought to have been swept into the ocean around the uninhabited volcanic island.

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Australian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-scott-morrison-hits-out-at-reckless-calls-to-cut-coal-industry-269654">Prime Minister Scott Morrison</a> told reporters he had not been updated on the situation due to being focussed on severe bushfires at home but said the New Zealand government had done all it could to recover the bodies.

"I have no doubt that they are exhausting every, every channel available to them to recover those remains," Morrison said.

"I can only say thank you, kia ora to New Zealand, and for everything that they've done to assist the Australians and Australian families," he said using a Māori expression of thanks.

The majority of the victims the powerful eruption of White Island, also known by its Māori name of Whakaari, were Australian citizens or permanent residents.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rescue-operation-hampered-in-volcano-hit-new-zealand-island-267755">Police</a> said on Monday one of those injured during the eruption had died in an Auckland hospital on the weekend, bringing the official <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-volcano-eruption-thirteen-dead-and-eight-missing-267321">death toll</a> to 17.

There has been criticism that tourists were allowed on the island, a popular destination for day-trippers, given the risks of an active volcano. That has led to speculation the tragedy could lead to major changes for New Zealand's thrillseeker tourism industry.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said official inquiries by coroners and work safety regulators into the eruption could take up to a year, and will carry potential criminal penalties of up to five years in jail.

New Zealand police said on Tuesday they were ending the search for the bodies of two people still missing following the deadly eruption of a volcano earlier this month.

New Zealand police said on Tuesday they were ending the search for the bodies of two people still missing following the deadly eruption of a volcano earlier this month. "The search for the two missing victims of the Whakaari/White Island eruption has been suspended," Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Andy McGregor said in a statement. "The families of the two missing people have been informed of this decision. Police remain ready to respond if new information comes to light," he added. Those still missing, presumed dead, are Winona Langford, a 17-year-old Australian tourist, and Hayden Marshall-Inman, a 40-year-old New Zealand tour guide. Their bodies are thought to have been swept into the ocean around the uninhabited volcanic island. × Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters he had not been updated on the situation due to being focussed on severe bushfires at home but said the New Zealand government had done all it could to recover the bodies. "I have no doubt that they are exhausting every, every channel available to them to recover those remains," Morrison said. "I can only say thank you, kia ora to New Zealand, and for everything that they've done to assist the Australians and Australian families," he said using a Māori expression of thanks. The majority of the victims the powerful eruption of White Island, also known by its Māori name of Whakaari, were Australian citizens or permanent residents. Police said on Monday one of those injured during the eruption had died in an Auckland hospital on the weekend, bringing the official death toll to 17. There has been criticism that tourists were allowed on the island, a popular destination for day-trippers, given the risks of an active volcano. That has led to speculation the tragedy could lead to major changes for New Zealand's thrillseeker tourism industry. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said official inquiries by coroners and work safety regulators into the eruption could take up to a year, and will carry potential criminal penalties of up to five years in jail.

New Zealand police suspends search for two missing in volcanic eruption

The New Zealand Police confirmed 15 deaths from the volcano eruption in New Zealand's White Island on Sunday, and said two are still missing.

Two still missing after 15 deaths from White Island's volcano eruption

Thirteen people have been killed and eight people are missing and presumed dead after volcanic eruption covered a small New Zealand island popular with tourists in hot ash and steam.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/white-island-volcano-unexpectedly-erupts-in-new-zealand-267230">In pictures: When White Island volcano unexpectedly erupted in New Zealand</a>

Rescuers have been unable to access the island, which is covered in grey ash.

Watch:&nbsp;

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The volcano vent continues to emit steam and New Zealand's geoscience agency has warned on another eruption in the coming 24 hours, with 50-50 chances.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed "unfathomable grief" after the volcanic eruption have claimed 13 lives.

Ardern confirmed five fatalities and said another eight people were still missing after Monday's tragedy at White Island.

There was little hope of finding the missing alive, after overnight aerial reconnaissance flights found no signs of life.

"The focus this morning is on recovery and ensuring police can do that safely," she told a press conference.

Among those on the island during the cataclysm were tourists from Australia, the United States, Britain, China and Malaysia, as well as their New Zealand guides.

"To those who have lost or are missing family and friends, we share in your unfathomable grief and your sorrow," Ardern said.

"Your loved ones stood alongside Kiwis who were hosting you here and we grieve with you."

Ardern singled out "our Australian family" for sympathy, while her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison warned his compatriots to brace for "a very hard day".

Morrison said there were fears that three of the five dead were Australian, and another eight citizens were unaccounted for. 
He described the tragedy as a "time of great innocence and joy interrupted by the horror of that eruption".

"This is a very, very hard day for a lot of Australian families whose loved ones have been caught up in this terrible, tragedy," he told reporters in Sydney.

A total of 31 people — including 13 Australians — were in hospital with various injuries, some listed as critical with serious burns.

White Island Tours, a trip operator, confirmed that two of its guides were unaccounted for, while Britain's high commissioner in Wellington said two female citizens were hospitalised.

Concerns about further eruptions, poisonous gases and choking ash stalled efforts to recover bodies.

"We will only go to the island when it is safe to do so for our people," police spokesman Bruce Bird said.

He said a helicopter scoured the area for 45 minutes, checking if anyone was still alive -- without success.

(With inputs from AFP)

Thirteen people have been killed and eight people are missing and presumed dead after volcanic eruption covered a small New Zealand island popular with tourists in hot ash and steam.

Thirteen people have been killed and eight people are missing and presumed dead after volcanic eruption covered a small New Zealand island popular with tourists in hot ash and steam. In pictures: When White Island volcano unexpectedly erupted in New Zealand Rescuers have been unable to access the island, which is covered in grey ash. Watch: The volcano vent continues to emit steam and New Zealand's geoscience agency has warned on another eruption in the coming 24 hours, with 50-50 chances. New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has expressed "unfathomable grief" after the volcanic eruption have claimed 13 lives. Ardern confirmed five fatalities and said another eight people were still missing after Monday's tragedy at White Island. There was little hope of finding the missing alive, after overnight aerial reconnaissance flights found no signs of life. "The focus this morning is on recovery and ensuring police can do that safely," she told a press conference. Among those on the island during the cataclysm were tourists from Australia, the United States, Britain, China and Malaysia, as well as their New Zealand guides. "To those who have lost or are missing family and friends, we share in your unfathomable grief and your sorrow," Ardern said. "Your loved ones stood alongside Kiwis who were hosting you here and we grieve with you." Ardern singled out "our Australian family" for sympathy, while her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison warned his compatriots to brace for "a very hard day". Morrison said there were fears that three of the five dead were Australian, and another eight citizens were unaccounted for. He described the tragedy as a "time of great innocence and joy interrupted by the horror of that eruption". "This is a very, very hard day for a lot of Australian families whose loved ones have been caught up in this terrible, tragedy," he told reporters in Sydney. A total of 31 people — including 13 Australians — were in hospital with various injuries, some listed as critical with serious burns. White Island Tours, a trip operator, confirmed that two of its guides were unaccounted for, while Britain's high commissioner in Wellington said two female citizens were hospitalised. Concerns about further eruptions, poisonous gases and choking ash stalled efforts to recover bodies. "We will only go to the island when it is safe to do so for our people," police spokesman Bruce Bird said. He said a helicopter scoured the area for 45 minutes, checking if anyone was still alive -- without success. (With inputs from AFP)

New Zealand volcano eruption: Thirteen dead and eight missing

By Shane Cronin

Five people have been confirmed dead, 31 remain in hospital with injuries and eight are still missing after sudden volcanic eruptions on Whakaari/White Island off the east coast of New Zealand.

The island is a tourist destination and 47 people were on it when it erupted on Monday afternoon. Three of those rescued have now been discharged from hospital.

Volcanologists at GeoNet, which operates a geological hazard monitoring system, described the eruption as impulsive and short-lived, with an ash plume that rose to more than three kilometres above the vent.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this morning praised the courage of the first responders and pilots who conducted an aerial survey. She confirmed that the flyovers have shown no signs of life. Police are today assessing whether it is safe to return to the island for a recovery operation.

Volcanic Hazards 
 
White Island is one of several volcanoes in New Zealand that can produce sudden explosive eruptions at any time. In this case, magma is shallow, and the heat and gases affect surface and ground water to form vigorous hydrothermal systems.

In these, water is trapped in pores of rocks in a super-heated state. Any external process, such as an earthquake, gas input from below, or even a change in the lake water level can tip this delicate balance and release the pressure on the hot and trapped water.

The resulting steam-driven eruption, also called a hydrothermal or phreatic eruption, can happen suddenly and with little to no warning. The expansion of water into steam is supersonic in speed and the liquid can expand to 1,700 times its original volume. This produces catastrophic impacts.

The expansion energy is enough to shatter solid rock, excavate craters and eject rock fragments and ash out to hundreds of metres away from the vent. We know of sites in New Zealand where material has been blasted out over three kilometres from the vent by such eruptions.

Potential for Further Eruptions

The hazards expected from steam-driven eruptions are violent ejections of hot blocks and ash, and the formation of “hurricane-like” currents of wet ash and coarse particles that radiate from the explosion vent. These can be deadly in terms of impact trauma, burns and respiratory injuries.

The eruptions are short-lived, but once one happens, there is a high chance for further, generally smaller ones as the system re-equilibrates. White Island is an acute location for such activity, but it is not the only location in New Zealand where this can happen.

Mount Ruapehu (crater lake), Mount Tongariro (Te Maari and Ketetahi) and geothermal areas of the central North Island all have the potential to cause such events. We know there have been more than 60 hydrothermal eruptions in the last 100 years in New Zealand. Some of these have caused loss of life.

No Warning

Monitoring and warning for hydrothermal eruptions is a huge challenge. We don’t normally see these eruptions coming, no matter how much we would like to. Many systems are already “primed” for such events, but the triggers are poorly understood.

The warning periods, once an event gets underway, are likely in the order of seconds to minutes. Our only hope for anticipating these events is to track potential vapour and liquid pressure in hydrothermal systems and to learn from their long-term behaviour when they are at a super-critical state. Unfortunately, there are no simple rules that can be followed and each hydrothermal system is different.

In this age of technology and instrumental monitoring, it seems irrational that there should be little or no warning for such eruptions. The eruption is not caused by magma, but by steam, and this is much harder to track in our current monitoring systems.

We have seen several other fatal hydrothermal catastrophies unfold in other parts of the world, such as the 2014 eruption of Mount Ontake in Japan. New Zealand has been luckier than many other parts of the world, until now.

 
(Shane Cronin is Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Auckland)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-white-island-erupted-and-why-there-was-no-warning-128550">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

By Shane Cronin Five people have been confirmed dead, 31 remain in hospital with injuries and eight are still missing after sudden volcanic eruptions on Whakaari/White Island off the east coast of New Zealand.

By Shane Cronin Five people have been confirmed dead, 31 remain in hospital with injuries and eight are still missing after sudden volcanic eruptions on Whakaari/White Island off the east coast of New Zealand. The island is a tourist destination and 47 people were on it when it erupted on Monday afternoon. Three of those rescued have now been discharged from hospital. Volcanologists at GeoNet, which operates a geological hazard monitoring system, described the eruption as impulsive and short-lived, with an ash plume that rose to more than three kilometres above the vent. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this morning praised the courage of the first responders and pilots who conducted an aerial survey. She confirmed that the flyovers have shown no signs of life. Police are today assessing whether it is safe to return to the island for a recovery operation. Volcanic Hazards White Island is one of several volcanoes in New Zealand that can produce sudden explosive eruptions at any time. In this case, magma is shallow, and the heat and gases affect surface and ground water to form vigorous hydrothermal systems. In these, water is trapped in pores of rocks in a super-heated state. Any external process, such as an earthquake, gas input from below, or even a change in the lake water level can tip this delicate balance and release the pressure on the hot and trapped water. The resulting steam-driven eruption, also called a hydrothermal or phreatic eruption, can happen suddenly and with little to no warning. The expansion of water into steam is supersonic in speed and the liquid can expand to 1,700 times its original volume. This produces catastrophic impacts. The expansion energy is enough to shatter solid rock, excavate craters and eject rock fragments and ash out to hundreds of metres away from the vent. We know of sites in New Zealand where material has been blasted out over three kilometres from the vent by such eruptions. Potential for Further Eruptions The hazards expected from steam-driven eruptions are violent ejections of hot blocks and ash, and the formation of “hurricane-like” currents of wet ash and coarse particles that radiate from the explosion vent. These can be deadly in terms of impact trauma, burns and respiratory injuries. The eruptions are short-lived, but once one happens, there is a high chance for further, generally smaller ones as the system re-equilibrates. White Island is an acute location for such activity, but it is not the only location in New Zealand where this can happen. Mount Ruapehu (crater lake), Mount Tongariro (Te Maari and Ketetahi) and geothermal areas of the central North Island all have the potential to cause such events. We know there have been more than 60 hydrothermal eruptions in the last 100 years in New Zealand. Some of these have caused loss of life. No Warning Monitoring and warning for hydrothermal eruptions is a huge challenge. We don’t normally see these eruptions coming, no matter how much we would like to. Many systems are already “primed” for such events, but the triggers are poorly understood. The warning periods, once an event gets underway, are likely in the order of seconds to minutes. Our only hope for anticipating these events is to track potential vapour and liquid pressure in hydrothermal systems and to learn from their long-term behaviour when they are at a super-critical state. Unfortunately, there are no simple rules that can be followed and each hydrothermal system is different. In this age of technology and instrumental monitoring, it seems irrational that there should be little or no warning for such eruptions. The eruption is not caused by magma, but by steam, and this is much harder to track in our current monitoring systems. We have seen several other fatal hydrothermal catastrophies unfold in other parts of the world, such as the 2014 eruption of Mount Ontake in Japan. New Zealand has been luckier than many other parts of the world, until now. (Shane Cronin is Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Auckland) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why White Island erupted and why there was no warning

Most destructive volcanic flare-ups in the last 25 years

At least five people were killed, up to 20 injured and several were reported missing after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-volcano-eruption-one-dead-more-fatalities-feared-267098">a volcano suddenly erupted</a> off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island on Monday, spewing a plume of ash thousands of feet into the air.

More casualties were feared on White Island, where the volcano erupted at about 2:11 pm, police said.

Twenty-three people, some of them believed to be tourists from the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship, were rescued, police said, adding that others were still on the island.

About 50 people were feared to have been nearby and several were seen near the rim of the crater minutes before the eruption.

St&nbsp;John Ambulance said up to 20 people were believed to have been injured in the eruption, adding that a mobile triage unit was on its way. The organisation said it had sent seven helicopters to the island with medics on board.

Michael Schade, an engineering manager from San Francisco, was one of the tourists who made it off the island just before the eruption.

In a video Schade posted on Twitter as he sped away from the island by boat, a huge plume of white ash soars into the sky as a group of frightened tourists huddles close to the shore.

"This is so hard to believe," Schade said. "Our whole tour group were literally standing at the edge of the main crater not 30 minutes before."

A crater rim camera owned and operated by New Zealand science agency GeoNet shows groups of people walking toward and away from the rim inside the crater, from which white vapour constantly billows, in the hour leading up to the eruption.

At 2:00 pm&nbsp;the crater rim camera catches a group of people - tiny specks in relation to the vast volcano - right at the edge of the rim. At 2:10 pm,&nbsp;just a minute before the eruption - the group is headed away from the rim, following a well-worn track across the crater.

White Island is about 50 km&nbsp;from the east coast of North Island and huge plumes were visible from the mainland. Volcanologists said the ash plume shot 12,000 feet&nbsp;into the air.

"We know that there were a number of tourists on or around the island at the time, both New Zealanders and visitors from overseas," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a news conference.

"I know there will be a huge amount of concern and anxiety for those who had loved ones on or around the island at the time. I can assure them that police are doing everything they can."

On Twitter, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australians had been affected by the eruption and the government was trying to learn more. Twenty-four Australians were on White Island when the volcano erupted, Australian media said.

Kevin O'Sullivan, chief executive of the New Zealand Cruise Association, said: "We believe there is a tour party from Ovation of the Seas involved in the White Island eruption. We have no further details at the moment."

Ovation of the Seas is a 16-deck cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises. It can take nearly 5,000 passengers and has a crew of about 1,500. It is docked at Tauranga, on the North Island, on a cruise that began in Sydney on Dec 3.

"We can confirm that a number of our guests were touring the island today," a company representative said in an emailed statement. "We do not have any additional details to share at this time."

No-fly zone

There seemed to be no danger for people in coastal areas farther away, authorities said.

The eruption was unexpected, but not unusual, an expert said.

"Sudden, unheralded eruptions from volcanoes such as White Island can be expected at any time," Shane Cronin, a volcanologist at University of Auckland, said in comments published by the Australia Science Media Centre.

"We know hydrothermal and so-called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/100-people-near-new-zealand-volcano-when-it-erupted-pm-jacinda-ardern-267054">'phreatic' eruptions can occur suddenly</a> and with little or no warning because they are driven by the expansion of super-heated water into steam," he added.

Geological hazard tracker GeoNet raised the alert level for the White Island volcano in November due to an increase in volcanic activity.

Just last week, GeoNet volcanologist Brad Scott said in a report that moderate volcanic unrest continued at White Island, with substantial gas, steam and mud bursts observed at the vent located at the back of the crater lake.

The island's immediate surroundings were hazardous because of the eruption, the National Emergency Management Agency said in an statement, adding that falling ash might affect some areas.

The "short-lived eruption" showed no signs of escalating, New Zealand's geoscience agency GNS Science said in a statement.

The White Island volcano is one of New Zealand's most active.

The White Island volcano's last fatal eruption was in 1914, when it killed 12 sulphur miners. There was a short-lived eruption in April 2016.

White Island became a private scenic reserve in 1953, and daily tours allow more than 10,000 people to visit the volcano every year.

'Whakaari', as it is known in Maori, is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, built up by continuous volcanic activity over the past 150,000 years, according to geological hazard tracking agency GeoNet.

About 70 percent is under the sea, making the massive volcanic structure the largest in New Zealand.

At least five people were killed, up to 20 injured and several were reported missing after a volcano suddenly erupted off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island on Monday, spewing a plume of ash thousands of feet into the air.

At least five people were killed, up to 20 injured and several were reported missing after a volcano suddenly erupted off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island on Monday, spewing a plume of ash thousands of feet into the air. More casualties were feared on White Island, where the volcano erupted at about 2:11 pm, police said. Twenty-three people, some of them believed to be tourists from the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship, were rescued, police said, adding that others were still on the island. About 50 people were feared to have been nearby and several were seen near the rim of the crater minutes before the eruption. St John Ambulance said up to 20 people were believed to have been injured in the eruption, adding that a mobile triage unit was on its way. The organisation said it had sent seven helicopters to the island with medics on board. Michael Schade, an engineering manager from San Francisco, was one of the tourists who made it off the island just before the eruption. In a video Schade posted on Twitter as he sped away from the island by boat, a huge plume of white ash soars into the sky as a group of frightened tourists huddles close to the shore. "This is so hard to believe," Schade said. "Our whole tour group were literally standing at the edge of the main crater not 30 minutes before." A crater rim camera owned and operated by New Zealand science agency GeoNet shows groups of people walking toward and away from the rim inside the crater, from which white vapour constantly billows, in the hour leading up to the eruption. At 2:00 pm the crater rim camera catches a group of people - tiny specks in relation to the vast volcano - right at the edge of the rim. At 2:10 pm, just a minute before the eruption - the group is headed away from the rim, following a well-worn track across the crater. White Island is about 50 km from the east coast of North Island and huge plumes were visible from the mainland. Volcanologists said the ash plume shot 12,000 feet into the air. "We know that there were a number of tourists on or around the island at the time, both New Zealanders and visitors from overseas," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a news conference. "I know there will be a huge amount of concern and anxiety for those who had loved ones on or around the island at the time. I can assure them that police are doing everything they can." On Twitter, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australians had been affected by the eruption and the government was trying to learn more. Twenty-four Australians were on White Island when the volcano erupted, Australian media said. Kevin O'Sullivan, chief executive of the New Zealand Cruise Association, said: "We believe there is a tour party from Ovation of the Seas involved in the White Island eruption. We have no further details at the moment." Ovation of the Seas is a 16-deck cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises. It can take nearly 5,000 passengers and has a crew of about 1,500. It is docked at Tauranga, on the North Island, on a cruise that began in Sydney on Dec 3. "We can confirm that a number of our guests were touring the island today," a company representative said in an emailed statement. "We do not have any additional details to share at this time." No-fly zone There seemed to be no danger for people in coastal areas farther away, authorities said. The eruption was unexpected, but not unusual, an expert said. "Sudden, unheralded eruptions from volcanoes such as White Island can be expected at any time," Shane Cronin, a volcanologist at University of Auckland, said in comments published by the Australia Science Media Centre. "We know hydrothermal and so-called 'phreatic' eruptions can occur suddenly and with little or no warning because they are driven by the expansion of super-heated water into steam," he added. Geological hazard tracker GeoNet raised the alert level for the White Island volcano in November due to an increase in volcanic activity. Just last week, GeoNet volcanologist Brad Scott said in a report that moderate volcanic unrest continued at White Island, with substantial gas, steam and mud bursts observed at the vent located at the back of the crater lake. The island's immediate surroundings were hazardous because of the eruption, the National Emergency Management Agency said in an statement, adding that falling ash might affect some areas. The "short-lived eruption" showed no signs of escalating, New Zealand's geoscience agency GNS Science said in a statement. The White Island volcano is one of New Zealand's most active. The White Island volcano's last fatal eruption was in 1914, when it killed 12 sulphur miners. There was a short-lived eruption in April 2016. White Island became a private scenic reserve in 1953, and daily tours allow more than 10,000 people to visit the volcano every year. 'Whakaari', as it is known in Maori, is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, built up by continuous volcanic activity over the past 150,000 years, according to geological hazard tracking agency GeoNet. About 70 percent is under the sea, making the massive volcanic structure the largest in New Zealand.

New Zealand: Volcano eruption kills five, several missing

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