Jul 27 1996, 10:00 am - Ruapehu Volcano

Seismic activity has continued at the same relatively low levels seen over the last few days, although 3 - 4 periods of slightly stronger seismic activity suggest that the eruptive activity is continuing. Two periods of increased seismic activity, starting around 12:53 and 16:53 yesterday were associated with observed discrete ash plumes, the first of which is reported by CAA Ash Watch to have reached 32,000 feet (9 - 10 km), somewhat higher than we reported yesterday.

An observation flight with Institute staff yesterday around 16:00 - 16:40 observed the following. New snow had covered the earlier ballistic-block craters and smoothed off the ground surface. Ash from yesterday's 12:53 event was blanketing the snow to the east of the crater and extended at least some kilometres down the Whangaehu valley. There was a white gas plume from the northern section of the crater, and weak ash emission from the southern vent of the main crater. Ballistic impacts were confined to an area roughly the same as that of the old crater lake.

No distal ashfall reports have been received, but ash on the ground was reported by DoC staff at Whakapapa this morning.

The Alert Level remains at 3.

Colin Wilson
rostered Volcano Operations Manager