Tremors have been recorded at the New Zealand volcano where 47 tourists were overwhelmed following a major eruption, as tall plumes of ash and steam puncture the sky over the Bay of Plenty.
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The active stratovolcano on White Island, also known as Whakaari, exploded on Monday, killing five people.
Up to three Australians are believed to have been among the five confirmed to have died, but the total official death toll is expected to rise.
NZ authorities were on Wednesday trying to work out if they could get crews to the island off the east coast of the North Island to recover more bodies of the dead.
But the prospects aren't good after GeoNet, the NZ agency that gathers volcano data, noted increased activity since 4am local time.
"The level of volcanic tremor has significantly increased at the island," GeoNet said.
"This has been accompanied by vigorous steaming and localised mud jetting in several of the craters created by the eruption on Monday.
"We interpret these signals as evidence of continued high gas pressures within the volcano."
Eruptions are "likely" to occur within the next 24 hours.
GeoNet has maintained the volcanic alert warning for the island at '3', which indicates a 'minor volcanic eruption" is likely.
Among the 47 people on the island during Monday's eruption, there were 24 Australians, nine Americans, five Kiwis, four Germans, two Britons and Chinese and one Malaysian.
So far a total of six people have died, including one who passed away from their injuries on Tuesday.
Some 33 were hospitalised for burns, including 13 Australians and the rest are unaccounted for.
Stratovolcanoes are tall and conical in shape and are the most dangerous volcanos in the world.
The White Island volcano, a well-known tourist and scientific attraction, has emitting volcanic gas and smoke for decades, if not centuries.
Australian Associated Press
