Ruapehu volcano (North Island, New Zealand) activity update: seismic unrest recorded since the last update

GeoNet reported that seismographs detected a sequence of seismic events beneath Mt Ruapehu during 22-23 February. GNS Science volcanologists have categorised them as volcanic earthquakes. The larger events at the start of the episode are approximately magnitude 1.5 and later, smaller events are too small to be located by GeoNet's earthquake detection-location system.
The seismic recordings indicate a source beneath the summit area, which is normal for volcanic earthquakes and volcanic tremor at Ruapehu. The earthquake episode has ended.
The Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature has been around 24-25 ºC for the last few months. It is not unusual to observe volcanic earthquakes on Ruapehu and other episodes of increased seismic activity were observed during March 2018, April 2016 and September 2017. None of these resulted in a sustained increase in volcanic unrest.
Both the Volcanic Alert Level (level 1) and Aviation Code (Green) remain unchanged.
Source: GeoNet New Zealand volcano activity update 24 February 2020