Unexpected Eruption Of White Island Volcano In New Zealand

Photo of the White Island volcano eruption by tourist Michael Schade (Twitter @sch)

JAKARTA - Five people were reportedly killed in a volcanic eruption on White Island, New Zealand. This incident occurred while dozens of tourists were visiting a volcanic island cluster in the Bay of Plenty.

Based on data from the local police, as many as 47 foreign tourists are on tour on the island. 24 tourists came from Australia, nine people from the United States (US), five people from New Zealand, four people from Germany, two people from China and a tourist from Malaysia.

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Arden estimated that around 100 tourists were at the location. He continues to strive so that these tourists can be evacuated immediately.

"The situation continues to develop and of course we will treat those affected," said Jacinda as quoted by the BBC, Tuesday, December 10.

White Island or in the local language called Whakaari is one of the most active volcanoes in New Zealand. However, the beautiful natural scenery makes this tourist spot a magnet for travelers.

The eruption on the White Islands occurred at 14.30 local time. When the eruption occurred, about 50 people were on White Island.

One of the tourists who survived, Matthew Urey said that when the eruption occurred the tourists ran or threw themselves into the sea. Some of them were successfully rescued onto the ship with burns on their faces to the feet.

"The volcano actually erupted while we were on the island. We were fine, but my hands were burnt so I couldn't use my cell phone. And I don't know how long I'll be here," Uray explained to his mother, quoted as saying. from CNNInternational.

My god, White Island volcano in New Zealand erupted today for the first time since 2001. My family and I had gotten off it 20 minutes before, were waiting at our boat about to leave when we saw it. Boat ride home tending to people our boat rescued was indescribable. #whiteisland pic.twitter.com/QJwWi12Tvt

- Michael Schade (@sch) December 9, 2019

White Island, or Whakaari, is New Zealand's most active cone-shaped volcano. Quoting from GeoNet, White Island is a volcanic volcano that was formed more than 150 thousand years ago.

The last major eruption was in 1914, which killed 12 sulfur miners. In April 2016, a small scale eruption occurred.

Because of its natural scenery, this volcano is one of the favorite tourist attractions in New Zealand. Every year, more than 10 thousand tourists visit this mountain.

No eruption warning

Launching from the Science Alert report, the volcanic eruption on White Island occurred in a short time and was classified as a phreatic eruption. Eruptions consisting mostly of gas or water vapor.

The cause of the characteristics of the eruption is the interaction between water and magma. This water can come from groundwater, hydrothermal systems, lakes or oceans. Freactic eruptions destroy surrounding rock and can produce ash.

pic.twitter.com/NcFiCWi2Yf

- Michael Schade (@sch) December 9, 2019

According to New Zealand's meteorological agency, this was a brief eruption showing no signs of increasing. This sudden phreatic eruption is also difficult to monitor, because it is not caused by magma flow but water vapor.

Ray Cas, a professor from Monash University, Australia, said that Mount White Island should not be a tourist attraction. According to him, the mountain holds great potential dangers.

"Disasters are just waiting to happen in recent years. After visiting it twice, I feel it is too dangerous to allow daily tourists to visit the island by boat or helicopter," he said.

So far seven medical helicopters have been deployed to the site to evacuate trapped tourists. It is feared that the death toll will continue to increase because the eruption that has occurred has also thrown hot rocks.