An explosive mud pool which opened up behind a Whakarewarewa property in Rotorua has grown larger overnight and members of the public are warned to stay "well clear" of the area.
"There has been more ground collapse since yesterday and the mud pool is now bigger and has reached to just under foundations of the garage on the property," read a statement from the council on Thursday.
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"Members of the public are still being warned to stay well clear of the geothermal activity,"
The pool began to form at 1am on Tuesday.
Rotorua Lakes Council received a report saying the ground was shaking and a loud noise was coming from the bank behind a residential house in Meade Street.
Steam was venting from the bank, and mud was beginning to be thrown upwards. Since being alerted on Tuesday, the mud pool has grown larger and is threatening the house atop the bank.
The occupants of the house have moved out and the council is in contact with the property owner to support them through their safety requirements.
The council said on Wednesday the event appeared to be isolated to one area, but Whakarewarewa is "no stranger" to geothermal activity.
GNS volcanologist Brad Scott said the location has had several similar events over the past two decades.
"The cliff along the eastern side heats up, trees and bush die off and after a few weeks to a month it cools off," he told Newshub.
"There is a house on the property and it is usually affected by the increased activity on the site."
The council and GNS are both monitoring the situation.
Newshub.
