Since 8 pm last night over 25 volcanic eruption earthquakes have been recorded by seismic recording equipment at Ruapehu. A scientific survey visited the crater this morning and reported several small phreatic (steam) eruptions within the lake. No volcanic eruption earthquakes occurred during their visit. It now appears that minor eruptive activity has started in the crater lake. Based on this the Alert Level is being raised to Level 2

The volcanic tremor which commenced at Ruapehu on 2 October has continued at varying levels since that time. Most of the time it has not been much above typical background levels. However since 11 pm last night the tremor level has doubled and continues to increase slowly. Except for two small eruptions on the afternoon of 2 October no further eruptive activity occurred until this morning.

The occurrence today of small eruptions and the continuing volcanic tremor confirm an increase in the likelihood of further eruptive activity at Ruapehu in the short term, ie. days to weeks.

This level of activity is sufficient to justify a change in the alert level for the volcano.

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