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Seismologist on the increased geothermal activity at Mt Ruapehu

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 22 Dec 2020, 11:15AM
Mt Ruapehu. (Photo / File)
Mt Ruapehu. (Photo / File)

Seismologist on the increased geothermal activity at Mt Ruapehu

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 22 Dec 2020, 11:15AM

Increased geothermal activity on Mt Ruapehu is continuing.

GeoNet raised the volcano's alert level to two yesterday.

It reported a rise in the crater lake's temperature, tremors and one of the highest measured increases in volcanic gas.

GNS duty seismologist Mike Rosenberg told Tim Dower not much has changed overnight, with small pulses of volcanic tremor ongoing.

"The activity sees the crater lake's temperature rise about one degree a day - and it's nothing unusual."

Since 2007 the crater lake temperature has exceeded 40C a number of times, without leading to an eruption, however, the combination of the increased lake temperature, volcanic tremor and gas output have motivated the alert level change.

GNS Science and the National Geohazards Monitoring Centre continues to closely monitor Mount Ruapehu for further signs of activity.

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