Expert outlines how Whakaari survivors endured 2019 eruption

Wednesday 8 October 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Wed 8 Oct 2025, 3:22pm

In this story University of Auckland, RNZ

During a coronial inquest, volcanologist Shane Cronin explained that survivors of the Whakaari-White Island eruption relied on shelter and instinct to survive. He noted that visitors had very little time to react to the event, which involved ash particles exceeding 400C.

How they headlined it

1:56pm3:22pm

1. RNZWed 8 Oct 2025, 1:56pm

   Whakaari-White Island visitors had 'little time' to react to eruption, volcanologist says (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldWed 8 Oct 2025, 3:22pm

   Whakaari-White Island eruption inquest: Expert on how survivors stayed alive (opens in new tab)