White Island Volcano Erupts

[Jamietravelstheworld]

Just happened upon this article, https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/new-zealand-volcano-erupts/?utm_content=bufferf2659&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=owned_buffer_f_m&fbclid=IwAR3CfxLvsgq4L0Jy1a5US_u25xICeSEHnGRBkmrKdBn8R9YyHMs5_883x1c, that a volcano on White Island erupted today. White Island sits about 50 kilometers (30 miles) offshore from mainland New Zealand. The volcano is on White Island, northeast of the North Island town of Tauranga. 

 

I doubt it will affect upcoming cruises but thought I'd share.

 

Jamie

[Host Jazzbeau]

White Island is a stop on Ponant's "Best of New Zealand" Itinerary with calls scheduled on Jan. 22, Jan. 26, Mar. 14, and Mar. 28 of 2020.  Thanks for the heads up.  I will cross post this in the Ponant forum.

[Te Aroha]

Reports are coming in saying that the people on the Island were visiting from the Cruise Ship Ovation of the Seas which is currently docked in Tauranga.

 

Injuries and missing numbers are not known but a full rescue operation is underway with 7 helicopters evacuating the injured.

 

My thoughts are with the families waiting for news on the ship 😞

[banditoo]

Prayers to all those who were on White Island from Ovation or on their own that have been injured or missing. 😥

[Host Jazzbeau]

Here is Cruise Critic's article on the eruption:

Cruise Passengers Injured and Missing After Volcano Eruption in New Zealand

[banditoo]

Such a tragedy for those hurt or killed and their loved ones. I can imagine everyone on that ship is pretty shook up. 

[rabidstoat]

5 dead and over 20 missing. Does not look good.

Edited December 9, 2019 by rabidstoat

[SeaDog-46]

There are 6 confirmed dead,  8 missing on the island & presumed dead.  It is proving difficult to identify some injured with severe burns.

[rabidstoat]

Last I read there were 25 in critical condition, 5 in serious,  in the hospitals. Most of them had burns covering over 30% of their body. Really awful.

[TLCOhio]

Much, sadly, about New Zealand in the news this week!!  We are now about two months till we depart for Auckland and New Zealand.  Still need to focus more directly as to what and where to focus our time in the NZ North Island before boarding our cruise on Feb. 17 from Auckland as we sail the South Pacific on the way to Papeete.

 

From the New York Times  today, they had this headline: “Why Were Tourists Allowed to Visit an Active New Zealand Volcano?” with this subhead: "Visitors were allowed to tour the mouth of the White Island volcano despite recent warnings about bursts of gas and steam.".  

 

A couple of months ago, I was  researching and considering taking a helicopter out to this unique island.  Seemed like an interesting idea at that time, but not cheap.  Clearly this option is scratched now given these developments.  Here are more highlights from this NY Times article: “Geologists had repeatedly warned of increased volcanic activity is now the subject of an investigation, with the death toll from the eruption Monday having risen to six. As of Tuesday afternoon, eight others were also believed to have died, with emergency workers still unable to reach the island to retrieve them.  And the question heard is: Why was anyone allowed to tour the crater of an active volcano, despite warnings about bursts of gas and steam in recent weeks?  And why, as of Tuesday, were there no clear answers to who is ultimately accountable for ensuring visitors’ safety: the family that owns the remote island, or the government charged with enforcing health and safety regulations?”

 

Here is more background from this NY Times story: "The volcano is the island’s main draw. The town of Whakatane calls itself the 'Gateway to White Island,” and much of the local economy is driven by tourist visits. Already, locals are concerned about the effect the eruption will have on the community as questions of disclosure and negligence swirl.  White Island has long been promoted as New Zealand’s most active volcano, appearing in 'Lord of the Rings'. Around 70 percent of the volcano sits under the water, and tourists walk into its crater and up to the lip of its crater lake, peering into its cavity to see its endlessly boiling core."

 

Full Times story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/world/asia/new-zealand-volcano.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 226,439 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[kathy9]

9 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

Much, sadly, about New Zealand in the news this week!!  We are now about two months till we depart for Auckland and New Zealand.  Still need to focus more directly as to what and where to focus our time in the NZ North Island before boarding our cruise on Feb. 17 from Auckland as we sail the South Pacific on the way to Papeete.

 

From the New York Times  today, they had this headline: “Why Were Tourists Allowed to Visit an Active New Zealand Volcano?” with this subhead: "Visitors were allowed to tour the mouth of the White Island volcano despite recent warnings about bursts of gas and steam.".  

 

A couple of months ago, I was  researching and considering taking a helicopter out to this unique island.  Seemed like an interesting idea at that time, but not cheap.  Clearly this option is scratched now given these developments.  Here are more highlights from this NY Times article: “Geologists had repeatedly warned of increased volcanic activity is now the subject of an investigation, with the death toll from the eruption Monday having risen to six. As of Tuesday afternoon, eight others were also believed to have died, with emergency workers still unable to reach the island to retrieve them.  And the question heard is: Why was anyone allowed to tour the crater of an active volcano, despite warnings about bursts of gas and steam in recent weeks?  And why, as of Tuesday, were there no clear answers to who is ultimately accountable for ensuring visitors’ safety: the family that owns the remote island, or the government charged with enforcing health and safety regulations?”

 

Here is more background from this NY Times story: "The volcano is the island’s main draw. The town of Whakatane calls itself the 'Gateway to White Island,” and much of the local economy is driven by tourist visits. Already, locals are concerned about the effect the eruption will have on the community as questions of disclosure and negligence swirl.  White Island has long been promoted as New Zealand’s most active volcano, appearing in 'Lord of the Rings'. Around 70 percent of the volcano sits under the water, and tourists walk into its crater and up to the lip of its crater lake, peering into its cavity to see its endlessly boiling core."

 

Full Times story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/world/asia/new-zealand-volcano.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 226,439 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

Terry,

Thanks for posting the above 'We are sailing on the Oceania Regatta on January 6th with a stop in Rotorua (Tauranga) New Zealand. I was looking at what we have booked and it is a private excursion involving Hobbit town. I looked through Oceania excursions and see that none are offered to White Island. 

Condolences to all the families who are suffering right now and prayers for recovery to the injured. 

Safe travels.

Kathy

 

Edited December 11, 2019 by kathy9

[Woodinville]

Update - Ovation of the Sea & White Island Volcano - Warnings had been issued! Yet private tour operators say it didn't pass their threshold for danger.  RCI - Ovation of the Seas shore excursions did not appear to include White Island. 

 

https://securelytravel.com/travel/update-ovation-of-the-sea-white-island-volcano-warnings-had-been-issued/