White Island

by Tait,Peter and

White Island lies just 49 kilometres off the coast of the Bay of Plenty. One of the only accessible island volcanoes in the world, it carries a Grade A classification of international scientific importance. White Island never stops working. Stema and gases rise continuously from the island. In March 2000, three small vents developed in the side of the main crater, and the island was placed on volcanic Alert Level 2. Several months later, there was an eruption of ash and rock, which is photographed and recorded in this book. Fascinating old photographs depict the early history of sulphur mining on the island. Maps locate the island geography above and below the sea and chart its position off the coast in line with other submerged volcanoes. Spectacular underwater photography reveals the remarkable variety of marine life.