Aug 8 1997, 3:00 pm - Ruapehu Volcano

Following the period of enhanced tremor over the weekend of July 26 - 27, further enhanced tremor was recorded on July 31. Since August 5 volcanic tremor levels have fluctuated at levels above the typical background levels and remain so at this time.

None of the tremor recorded since July 27 has been as strong as that recorded on July 26 - 27. The probability of an eruption occurring at Ruapehu remains relatively high while volcanic tremor is being recorded.

This level of activity is insufficient to justify a change in the alert level for the volcano, as an increase to Level 2 would require the actual onset of eruptive activity.

The Alert Level remains at 1.

B.J. Scott (for C.P. Wood)
Volcanology Section Leader