Ruapehu volcano (North Island, New Zealand): selective increment signed based on Dec. on typical 'heating-cooling cycle' about Crater Lake

 The activity of the volcano is characterized by typical heating-cooling cycle over the past months.

From early July to early September, the lake temperature rose from 20 °C to 39 °C. Through to mid-October the lake temperature declined to around 23-25 °C. Since early December a heating trend has become established, and the lake temperature is now 31 °C.

A number of small earthquakes have been recorded during temperature rise caused by an increasing flux of steam and gas into the lake.

The modelled heat flow into the lake is currently estimated at about 250 MW (megawatt), up from 50 MW in October/November.

The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1 and the Aviation Colour Code remains at Green.

Source: GeoNet New Zealand volcano activity update 15 December 2021