Earthquake swarm rattles Whakaari/White Island

A swarm of earthquakes near Whakaari/White Island is getting stronger, and there are fears it may cause a landslide.

GNS Science said on Sunday morning there have been 196 quakes in the area since Thursday.

Twenty-two in the past 24 hours have been magnitude 3 or greater. The largest measured 3.9.

The volcanic alert remains at the lowest level however.

"The swarm appears to be tectonic in nature, unrelated to volcanic processes," said volcanologist Natalia Deligne, "... but may result in increased landslide risk."

The aviation colour code is also staying at green - meaning no eruption is believed imminent, and planes can fly freely in the area.

Experts are closely monitoring the island.

"Eruptions can still occur with little or no warning," said Deligne.

White Island is New Zealand's most active volcano, and according to GNS Science was "in a state of frequent eruption from 1976 to 2000". It's located 48km off the Bay of Plenty coast.

Newshub.