Ruapehu heating up

Ruapehu Crater Lake (GeoNet image).

GeoNet reports today that Ruapehu appears to be entering a new heating cycle. The Crater Lake temperature has risen to 22°C this month, from 16°C in August, a change accompanied by some volcanic tremor. Between October 2007 and June 2008 the temperature varied between 34°C and 37°C. Sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide levels in the volcano’s plume are also showing an upwards trend, consistent with the rising temperature within the Crater Lake. There is nothing unusual about any of this, however: ‘Cyclic activity in the Crater Lake’, observes the GeoNet bulletin, ‘is very common at Ruapehu’.

The alert level for Ruapehu remains at level 1 (departure from typical background surface activity, signs of unrest). GeoNet warns that ‘Ruapehu remains an active volcano and future eruptions may occur without warning’.

At the beginning of the week the skiing season at Ruapehu was extended by three weeks because of record snow falls.

For all our New Zealand coverage: New Zealand « The Volcanism Blog.

News
Ruapehu entering new heating cycle – GNS – New Zealand Herald, 18 September 2008

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