An eruption has occured on Whakaari / White Island in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Main Image: The ash cloud rising from White Island today. Photo: GeoNet

GNS Science says the eruption occured at 2.10pm.

It says the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 4.

There's has been moderate volcanic unrest on the island for the past few weeks, prompting GNS to say it appeared the volcano was possibly entering a period where eruptive activity is more likely than normal.

- more to come