Sep 12 1995 - Ruapehu Volcano

Volcanic tremor and acoustic noise from Crater Lake was particularly strong May - June and was followed by eruptions in June and July. A particularly large event on 29 June destroyed monitoring equipment installed in the lake and telemetry equipment on the lake shore. The 29 June eruption was probably the largest since 1988 from Crater Lake.

Observations since June have shown that the lake is consistently cooling and seismic activity is lower, although results from chemical analyses of the lake water indicate fresh lava is still available to the crater lake system. All available indications are that the recent heating episode and associated eruptions is now over and the volcano has returned to a lower level of activity. However, the present state of the volcano does not preclude further activity with little or no warning.

Alert Status

In terms of the revised (August 1995) Volcano Alert system, we advise the Alert Status for Mt Ruapehu be reduced down to Level 1.

C.J.N. Wilson
Volcanology Programme Leader

B.J. Scott
Volcano Surveillance Manager