Calmer on White island

A decrease in volcanic activity at White Island has seen the aviation colour code lowered to yellow.

GNS Science yesterday made the call to drop the aviation colour code from orange to yellow although the situation remains changeable.

Volcanologist Brad Scott said the level of volcanic tremor recorded last week had dropped to less than half of that recorded the week before.

The small explosive eruptions that had been occurring for the past three weeks have also lessened in intensity.

"The area that was erupting has now filled again with water and the only activity is small geysering but the lake remains hot, about 80 degrees Celsius," he said.

However, the substantial variations in activity over the past few weeks were signs a hazardous eruption could occur at any time with no warning.

The volcanic alert level remains at one.