Gas emissions are still elevated at Mt Ruapehu. The Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature has declined over the past week. Volcanic tremor levels have generally declined but remain variable. Volcanic unrest continues at Mt Ruapehu and the potential for eruptive activity remains. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.
The GeoNet earthquake monitoring network has recorded a small swarm of earthquakes at Lake Taupō over the last 2-3 weeks.
Volcanic tremor continues at Mt Ruapehu but has decreased since last week, lowering from strong to moderate levels. The Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature has also declined to 37°C. The levels of gas emission remain high, indicating that the volcano is still at a heightened level of unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2.
GNS Science Senior Volcanologist Geoff Kilgour gives an update on current volcanic activity at Mt Ruapehu, and what future activity at the volcano might look like.
High levels of volcanic gas emissions and strong volcanic tremor continue at Mt Ruapehu. The Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature has risen to 41°C and steam plumes can be observed in cold, still atmospheric conditions. The volcano is still at a heightened level of unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2, with greater chances of eruption over the next four weeks than at Volcanic Alert Level 1.
Monitoring data and the results from an observation flight confirm volcanic unrest remains at low level at Whakaari/White Island. The Volcanic Alert Level for Whakaari/White Island remains at Level 1. The Aviation Colour Code also remains at Green.
Earlier this morning, a steam plume was visible above Mt Ruapehu’s Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe). The first sign of the plume occurred at ~09:45 am and it ascended slowly to ~1 to 1.5 km above the summit area. The plume remained visible until around 10.30 am. Images of the plume indicate that atmospheric conditions favoured cloud formation, as cloud was also forming elsewhere around the volcano. The plume was seen widely around the volcano.
Recent airborne gas measurements confirm continued high levels of volcanic gas emissions, along with strong volcanic tremor. Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature has risen to 38°C. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Elevated volcanic unrest continues at Mt Ruapehu, dominated by strong volcanic tremor. The Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature remains stable at 37°C. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
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