White Island (Whakaari)

News: The owners of New Zealand’s Whakaari (White Island) volcano were cleared of legal responsibility for the 2019 eruption that killed 22 people. The High Court ruled they only owned the land and were not liable for tourist safety.

About White Island (Whakaari)

• White Island is an active stratovolcano located in the Bay of Plenty, off the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island. It is also known by its Māori name Whakaari.
• It is the country’s most active volcano and has been continuously monitored due to its frequent eruptions.
• The island spans approximately 325 hectares, which accounts for only about 30 percent of the volcano’s total mass, with the remainder submerged beneath the sea.
• White Island is a marine volcano, with around 70% of its structure lying underwater. The part visible above sea level is the summit of a much larger volcanic system.
• The island was first recorded by Europeans when it was sighted and named by Captain James Cook in 1769.
• The island has a long history of eruptions, with notable activity recorded in 1914, 2000-2001, 2012-2013, and 2016. However, the most devastating eruption occurred on December 9, 2019.