Mount Ruapehu Crater Lake heating up, New Zealand
Mount Ruapehu Crater Lake is warming again, with temperatures rising to 16°C (61°F) by August 19, 2025. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1, indicating minor volcanic unrest.
Ruapehu’s Crater Lake temperature slowly increases, New Zealand
Te Wai ā-moe, the Crater Lake of Ruapehu volcano in New Zealand, is experiencing a mild heating trend, with temperatures rising from 8 °C (46.4 °F) to approximately 10 – 11 °C (50 – 51.8 °F). The recent changes have been noted in late October 2024, following several months of cooling that began in February of the same year.
Rising temperature at Ruapehu’s Crater Lake, New Zealand
Recent activity at New Zealand’s Ruapehu volcano has shown an increase in the temperature of the summit Crater Lake, known as Te Wai ā-moe, rising to more than 30 °C (86 °F) and consistent with heat flow into the lake of about 150-200 MW. Despite this, the level of volcanic unrest activity remains low, with monitoring indicators remaining within the normal range for this type of activity. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 1 and the Aviation Color Code remains Green, indicating a low risk of eruption.
Brief period of strong volcanic tremor under Ruapehu, New Zealand
A brief period of strong volcanic tremor was recorded over the weekend at Ruapehu volcano, New Zealand. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2. An eruption at the volcano may occur at any level, and levels may not move in sequence as activity can change rapidly.
What future activity could look like at Ruapehu volcano, New Zealand
GNS Science Senior Volcanologist Geoff Kilgour provides a video update on the volcanic unrest at Ruapehu. He shares what future activity could look like at the volcano.
Heightened volcanic unrest continues at Ruapehu with high volcanic gas output, strong tremor and steam plumes
High levels of volcanic gas emissions and strong volcanic tremor continue at New Zealand’s Ruapehu volcano. The Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature has risen to 41 °C (105.8 °F) and steam plumes can be observed in cold, still atmospheric conditions. The volcano is still at a heightened level of unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2, with greater chances of eruption over the next four weeks than at Volcanic Alert Level 1.
Steam plume visible at Ruapehu volcano, New Zealand
A steam plume was seen above Ruapehu’s Crater Lake at around 09:45 LT on May 3, 2022 (21:45 UTC on May 2). No seismic or acoustic activity accompanied the plume appearance, indicating the steam plume was not generated by strong activity in the lake.
High levels of volcanic gas emissions, strong volcanic tremor at Ruapehu, New Zealand
Recent airborne gas measurements over Ruapehu volcano, New Zealand confirm continued high levels of volcanic gas emissions, along with strong volcanic tremor.
Tremor at Ruapehu volcano now longest and strongest in 20 years, New Zealand
Elevated volcanic unrest continues at New Zealand’s Ruapehu volcano, dominated by strong volcanic tremor. The Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature remains stable at 37 °C (98.6 °F) and the Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Strong volcanic tremor continues at Ruapehu, New Zealand
The elevated volcanic unrest continues at New Zealand’s Ruapehu volcano, with strong volcanic tremor and the Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature now stabilized at 37 °C (98.6 °F) for the past week. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2 and the Aviation Color Code at Yellow.
