Ruapehu volcano, North Island, New Zealand: news & activity updates

The activity at the volcano continues at reduced levels since early May. Read allOn 24 May GeoNet reported that elevated unrest at Ruapehu continued, though at reduced levels. During the previous week the levels of volcanic tremor further declined, were variable, but remained above normal. The lake water temperature decreased from a peak of 41 degrees Celsius on 8 May to 30 degrees Celsius, showing a cooling trend. Read allThe GNS volcano observatory reported that the decreasing volcanic tremor still remains at high values in a combination with changing calm periods at the volcano. Read allOn 17 May GeoNet reported that elevated unrest at Ruapehu continued, though at reduced levels. During the previous two weeks the level of volcanic tremor declined from strong to moderate. The lake water temperature decreased from a peak of 41 degrees Celsius on 8 May to 37 degrees Celsius. Read allThe volcanic tremor has decreased over the past two weeks, but remains well above the average levels confirming that the unrest continues at high levels. Read allOn 11 May GeoNet reported that elevated unrest at Ruapehu continued during the previous week, consisting of lake water heating, volcanic gas output, and strong volcanic tremor. The lake water temperature continued to rise, peaking at 41 degrees Celsius. Steam plumes were visible rising from the lake; an overflight confirmed that they were caused by a combination of the warming lake and atmospheric conditions, with no eruptive activity. Read allThe volcanic-seismic unrest of the volcano continues to be elevated. Read allOn 2 May GeoNet reported that elevated unrest at Ruapehu continued during the previous week, consisting of lake water heating, volcanic gas output, and strong volcanic tremor. Variable tremor levels were characterized by bursts of strong tremor and short periods of weaker tremor. The lake water temperature had risen to 38 degrees Celsius. Read allOn May 3rd, 2022, a steam plume was visible above Mt Ruapehu's Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe). Read allOn 26 April GeoNet reported that elevated unrest at Ruapehu had been ongoing for the past five weeks, characterized by lake water heating, volcanic gas output, and strong volcanic tremor. Tremor levels fluctuated the past week but represented a record for the longest and strongest tremor episode ever recorded at the volcano. The lake water temperature remained at 37 degrees Celsius, indicating a substantial amount of heat from magma at a shallow depth (0.5-2 km), though water chemistry showed no change based on sampling during 31 March-15 April. Read all