Ruapehu - IGNS - Science Alert Bulletin V95/36

Tuesday 10 October 1995
1600 hours NZDT (UT +13)
Ruapehu Volcanic Activity

Situation Summary

As of 1600 hours the situation is as follows:

The weather conditions today have prevented any observations of the volcano.

Tremor levels have remained at weak to moderate levels, similar to those
which have prevailed since Sunday.  In the last 24hrs seven small volcanic
earthquakes have been recorded, but we have no visual conformations of any
eruptive activity associated with these earthquakes.

The NZ Met Service now advises that wind direction will change from the
present southwestlies to southerlies.  Should further explosive eruptions
like the event on Saturday October 7 occur under southerly wind
conditions, ash fall is likely to occur on areas to north of Ruapehu.

Conclusions and Alert Status

No substantial eruptions have occurred at Ruapehu  since the 1503h event
on Saturday October 7.  The intensity of volcanic tremor and the continued
small eruption earthquakes indicates that the present eruption episode is
continuing.  The Alert Level remains at 3.

BJ Scott for
Dr CJN Wilson, Programme Leader, Volcanology