The minor volcanic eruption on Whakaari/White Island began on Sunday. File photo. Photo: Supplied / Craig Miller / GNS Science
An increase in sulphur dioxide emissions on Whakaari/White Island suggests magma is now at shallow levels, GNS Science volcanologists monitoring a minor eruption on the island say.
The eruption at the volcano - off the coast of Whakatāne - began on Sunday.
There has been volcanic activity on the island since May.
Duty volcanologist Ery Hughes says shallow magma, or molten rock, can cause high temperature gas venting, which means it is likely the eruption will continue.
But Hughes said there was no indication the activity will increase in magnitude and the chances of ash affecting the mainland was low.
Continuous minor eruption at Whakaari/White Island
GNS Science duty volcanologist Geoff Kilgour told Morning Report earlier today that the eruption was "very minor" and was only affecting the island itself and directly around it.
The volcanic alert level remains at 3.