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The shaking under Mount Ruapehu is now “moderate to strong” despite the cooling of the crater lake.
The volcanic alert level rose to level 2 last week after the crater lake temperature rose to 43 ° C.
Since then, the lake’s water has cooled slightly to 41 ° C, according to a GNS Science update on Monday.
Nava Fedaeff
An aerial view of Crater Lake atop New Zealand’s largest active volcano, Mount Ruapehu.
However, the level of volcanic tremor remains moderate to strong and several shallow earthquakes have been recorded.
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* Ruapehu crater lake heats up, shaking continues
* Increased temperature of the crater lake of Mount Ruapehu
* The Ruapehu crater lake warms up
Since 2007, the lake’s temperature has exceeded 40 ° C seven times.
GNS Science has reported several volcanic earthquakes, the largest (M2.2) occurring on Boxing Day below the volcano.
Volcanic earthquakes of this size are rare and the combination with a high shaking and high lake temperature indicate “moderate to intense volcanic disturbances,” the institute said in a statement.
Joseph Pearson / Things
A view of the crater lake from the summit.
“We continue to closely monitor Ruapehu, and this week we will attempt a gas flight to measure volcanic gas emissions. We will also try to sample the water from the crater lake for further chemical analysis. Together, they will help identify the processes that occur deep below the volcano. “
Level 2 indicates that the main hazards are those expected during volcanic disturbances; discharge of steam, volcanic gas, earthquakes, landslides and hydrothermal activity.
The aviation color code remains yellow. The color coding system is based on four ascending activity levels (green, yellow, orange and red) and is intended to provide the international civil aviation community with information on volcanic activity and the possible presence of volcanic ash in the atmosphere. .
