Temperatures continue to rise at Ruapehu's Crater Lake
CAITLIN MOORBY
May 7 2016
Disturbances in surface activity have been spotted on a tourist flight over Ruapehu's Crater Lake.
Sharp-eyed tourists on a scenic flight over Ruapehu on Saturday afternoon have alerted authorities to an increase in activity at the volcano.
The crater lake was reported to be bubbling and steaming.
GeoNet volcanologist Brad Scott said the activity is the result of the lake heating up over the last few weeks.
Temperatures at the lake appeared to be as high as 44°C.
It's the hottest the lake has been since it was established in 2000.
Scott says although this type of activity hasn't been seen in recent years, it's not uncommon for temperatures to rise over 40°C.
Volcanic tremors have also been occurring since a series of earthquakes were registered on May 3.
GeoNet said the level of volcanic tremor has increased slightly this week, but is at levels lower than those reached in April 2015 when the lake was also heating.
"Volcanic tremor is always present at Ruapehu, and the level does vary a lot," Scott said.
"Safety-wise there are no real issues of concern, but obviously Ruapehu is an active volcano, so there are hazards present that go along with an active volcano."
There is no change to the volcanic alert level, which remains at at the lowest end of the scale – a one.
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