Ruapehu volcano (North Island, New Zealand): new heating phase starts at the crater lake
Fri, 16 Jul 2021, 06:14
06:14 AM | BY: MARTIN
Ruapehu volcano today (image: GeoNet)
While the lake was cooling (April-July) the modelled heat input into the lake was around 80-100 MW (megawatt). To heat the lake water temperature by 3°C modelling indicates that ~300-600 MW (megawatt) of heat is now entering the lake.
Two small earthquakes have been located, and higher level of volcanic tremor has accompanied the start of the increase in the lake temperature. The occurrence of tremor is quite typical of the start of such heating phase.
Routine monitoring at the volcano includes gas measurement flights and crater lake (Te Wai ā-moe) water samplings. The results from these visits and of continuous monitoring of volcanic earthquake activity, tremor levels, and crater lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature and water level indicate that key monitoring parameters remain within normal ranges. The lake is currently overflowing into the Whangaehu river.
The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1 and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Green.
Source: GeoNet New Zealand volcano activity update 16 July 2021
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Tue, 8 Jun 2021, 20:09
Ruapehu volcano (North Island, New Zealand): Crater Lake temperature down to 26°C
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Wed, 13 Jan 2021, 06:00
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