新西兰周三因怀特岛（又称怀卡里岛）持续喷发火山灰而提升了火山警报级别。
New Zealand raised its volcanic alert level Wednesday amid the continued eruption of volcanic ash at White Island, also known as Whakaari.
据新西兰广播电台报道，新西兰地球科学局表示，“除可能闻到明显的硫磺味和轻微火山灰降落外，对大陆没有威胁”。该局补充说，航空颜色代码已提升至橙色，即第三级。
Earth Sciences New Zealand said there “are no threats to the mainland beyond potentially noticeable sulphur smell and ligh(t) ash fall,” according to Radio New Zealand. The aviation color code has been raised to orange, or Level III, it added.
怀卡里岛是一座活跃的安山岩层状火山，位于新西兰北岛东海岸外48公里（29.8英里）处。
Whakaari is an active andesite stratovolcano situated 48 kilometers (29.8 miles) off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.
新西兰地球科学局表示：“主火山口的活跃喷口周围可见一层火山灰，少量火山灰随蒸汽和气体柱向上输送。喷发较弱，没有证据表明发生过爆炸性喷发。”
“A blanket of volcanic ash could be seen around the active vent in the Main Crater, and a small amount was being carried upwards in a column of steam and gas. The discharge was weak, with no evidence that any explosive eruption had occurred,” Earth Sciences New Zealand said.
该局补充说，这种活动“可能持续数周”。然而，“对大陆造成重大影响仍极不可能”。“火山活动水平必须显著升级，这种可能性才会增加。”
This activity “may continue for weeks.”However, any “significant impact to the mainland remains very unlikely,” it added. “The level of volcanic activity would have to escalate significantly for this likelihood to increase.”