Nov 14 1995, 5:00 pm - Ruapehu Volcano

Situation Summary

As of 17:00, the following information is available:

• Volcanic tremor is continuing at similar levels to those for the previous 24 hours, i.e. low, but still higher than for last week. Also only a few, <10 high frequency volcano-tectonic earthquakes have been recorded today.

• We have not received any reports of ash emissions or plumes today. A sulphur smell was reported this morning from an aircraft 30 miles south-west of Napier; this been the only observation today.

• No GNS ground parties have been active today on the cone due to the weather.

  Days since last major ash fall* on 14 October 1995	31
  SGV** at Dome: mean for 24 hours to 4:00 pm on 14 November 1995	< 2 μm/s
  Days since SGV** last ≥10 μm/s on 27 October 1995	18
  SO2 flux: last measured on 7 November 1995	~2,100 t/day
  Deformation at Knoll Ridge as of 7 November 1995***	deflation
  * 1 mm thickness at 5 km radius ** Seismic ground velocity *** Tilt observed at Dome

Conclusion and Alert Status

At present the volcanic tremor at Ruapehu is still above pre-eruption levels. We advise the Alert Level remains at 3.

B.J. Scott (for C.J.N. Wilson)
Volcanology Programme Leader