Professor Shane Cronin, a volcanologist at the University of Auckland, warned the type of eruptions seen at White Island are short-lived.
The “hurricane-like” events can cause dangerous burns, and unbalance the volcano system, meaning other explosions are possible as the system re-equilibrates.
He said: “The hazards expected from such events are the violent ejection of hot blocks and ash, and formation of ‘hurricane-like’ currents of wet ash and coarse particles that radiate from the explosion vent.
“These can be deadly in terms of causing impact trauma, burns and respiratory problems.”
source: express.co.uk