Rising temperatures and tremors on New Zealand volcano Mount Ruapehu have prompted authorities to raise safety alert levels, amid concerns it could “erupt with little or no warning”.
The temperature on the volcano’s Crater Lake, on the country’s North Island, has risen to 43C, according to geological hazard information service GeoNet.
“Bursts of volcanic tremor and a marked increase in the amount of gas passing through” the lake have also been observed, GeoNet says.
Carbon dioxide and sulphur levels in the crater’s gas plume are the highest in two decades.
The factors have led to the volcanic alert level being raised to two, which means “moderate to heightened volcanic unrest”
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The crater lake of Mount Ruapehu. File image. Credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The aviation colour code has been rated “yellow”, signifying that the volcano is “experiencing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels”.
“Mt Ruapehu is an active volcano and has the potential to erupt with little or no warning when in a state of volcanic unrest,” GeoNet said in a statement on Monday.
“Since 2007, Crater Lake temperature has exceeded 40C a number of times, without leading to an eruption.
The aviation colour code has been rated “yellow”, signifying that the volcano is “experiencing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels”.
“Mt Ruapehu is an active volcano and has the potential to erupt with little or no warning when in a state of volcanic unrest,” GeoNet said in a statement on Monday.
“Since 2007, Crater Lake temperature has exceeded 40C a number of times, without leading to an eruption.
Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand, Wednesday in 2004. Credit: Ross Setford/Getty Images
New Zealand's Mount Ruapehu volcano. File image. Credit: De Agostini via Getty Images
“However, the combination of the increased lake temperature, volcanic tremor and gas output have motivated the alert level change.
“While volcano alert level 2 is mostly associated with environmental hazards, eruptions can still occur with little or no warning.”
Authorities will continue to monitor for further signs of activity.
“However, the combination of the increased lake temperature, volcanic tremor and gas output have motivated the alert level change.
“While volcano alert level 2 is mostly associated with environmental hazards, eruptions can still occur with little or no warning.”
Authorities will continue to monitor for further signs of activity.
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