Ruapehu about to blow? 'Probably not'

  • 09/05/2016
(File)
(File)

Could we be on the verge of a volcanic eruption at Mt Ruapehu?

READ MORE: Mt Ruapehu eruption possible -- volcanologist

The crater lake is bubbling, with temperatures rising to the hottest on record.

GNS volcanologist Brad Scott has been monitoring the activity. He says Mt Ruapehu is "probably not" going to blow, but is showing signs of re-awakening.

"These are the first major signs we've seen since 2007... In 1995 and 1996 there were the most significant eruptions for about 50 years. We actually saw evidence of magma moving into the volcano in from the early '60s right through to '95, so it took over 30 years to get ready for that."

Mr Scott said it would be very surprising if anything happened on the same scale as the eruptions in the 1990s, but we can expect some geysers and steam-driven activity in the crater lake.

The crater lake getting very hot doesn't necessarily mean the volcano is going to erupt, however.

"We've had eruptions from hot lakes and cold lakes... We're feeling pretty comfortable about it."

Mr Scott says activity will continue as it has for the next month or so.

White Island also showed signs of activity last week, and Mr Scott says it is very much in a state of "significant unrest".

"There were a few volcanic earthquakes over the weekend and it looks like she's very much alive."

Newshub.