New Zealand: activity intensifies at Ruapehu 2 May 2008
Posted by volcanism in New Zealand, Ruapehu, activity reports, natural hazards.Tags: volcanic eruptions, volcano monitoring, volcanic activity reports, New Zealand, Ruapehu
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The New Zealand Department of Conservation issued a statement today, 2 May 2008, warning of increasing activity at Mount Ruapehu, reports The New Zealand Herald (no sign of the statement yet on the DOC media releases page). On 23 April a bulletin from GNS Science warned that the volcano was showing signs of intensified activity, while on 28 April the DOC reported that the volcano was ‘back to normal’ - although they went on to point out that ‘”Normal” for Ruapehu means that it can erupt at any time without warning’.
Above: Ruapehu Crater Lake (GeoNet image).
Ruapehu is one of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes. The latest eruption was on 25 September 2007; other recent eruptions took place in 2006 and 1995-6. Lahars are a particular danger at Ruapehu because of the crater lake which forms, fed by melting snow, between eruptions. Phreatic eruptive activity and the destruction of the tephra dam holding back the lake can produce highly destructive lahars, as most recently (but not fatally) in March 2007. A lahar from Ruapehu was the cause of the worst railway disaster in New Zealand history on Christmas Eve 1953 when it swept along the Whangaehu river valley and severely damaged a railway bridge at Tangiwai. An approaching train could not be stopped in time and plunged into the river: 151 people were killed.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Ruapehu - summary information for Ruapehu (0401-10=)
GeoNet volcanoes - volcano information from GeoNet, the organization responsible for volcano monitoring in New Zealand
GeoNet Volcano Alert bulletins - volcanic activity bulletins from GeoNet
News
Mt Ruapehu shows signs of erupting - New Zealand Herald, 2 May 2008
Mt Ruapehu showing signs of volcanic activity - tvnz.co.nz, 2 May 2008
Volcanic activity intensified on Mt Ruapehu - Radio New Zealand, 2 May 2008
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