Nov 1 1995, 3:30 pm - Ruapehu Volcano

Situation Summary

As of 15:30, the following information is available:

• During the last 24 hours significant tremor has continued to be recorded by the Dome seismograph at Ruapehu. Numerous 0.5 - 2 minute duration bursts of enhanced tremor imposed upon a quiet background continued until about 20:00 on 31 October. Since then tremor has been more continuous, with an 8 minute long period of strong tremor (high frequency) recorded also on the Whakapapa seismograph shortly after 01:00 this morning. This strong tremor probably accompanied vigorous ash emission, although no reports of ashfall have been received here. Tremor levels declined after about 05:00 this morning and have remained at relatively low levels during today.

• No observations of Ruapehu summit have been possible today due to bad weather, and we have received no aircraft reports of plume sightings. Aerial inspections of Ruapehu summit are planned for tomorrow.

Conclusions and Alert Status

The present eruption episode is continuing with probable intermittent ash eruptions. We advise the Alert Level remains at 3.

I.A. Nairn (for C.J.N. Wilson)
Volcanology Programme Manager