Tremors worsen on NZ volcano, preventing recovery of bodies

They sound as if they know what they are doing and will make the right choice of time to go out and back. Good luck to them.

I wonder what happened with the shelter that was placed there, by the way? No mention of it anywhere so far.

Here's the thing. Low risk or reasonable risk is not "no risk" and "risk" means it might happen and if it does it is going to be bad. A serious warning means "sooner or later someone will be hurt and it could be you".

Human nature is to want to get out and see things for yourself. To live and experience the reality of our planet in the different and unusual places where people cannot live or where living is dramatically different from what we know.

White Island is unique as an active volcano. A hundred years ago it contained a Sulfur mine and people lived there. Those people all died in a similar eruption and the ruined building is a feature of the tour.

Any active volcano is dangerous. Just because the previous 100 people visited safely doesn't not mean you will be safe. 

If gas is being vented randomly in the caldera, all it takes is for the gas to displace the oxygen where you stand for you to quickly asphyxiate. No lava, no burns, no ground trembles. Just no air. You may not even see it happen.

I once booked a cruise just so I could walk around for 7 days saying “Looks like we’re all in the same boat” to everyone else on board.

Agreed. Some of what I have read today I would not want to reproduce here. Horrific.