Volcano Live

North Island, New Zealand

39.28 S, 175.57 E
summit elevation 2779 m
stratovolcano

Ruapehu is one af New Zealand's most active volcanoes, and the highest mountain on the north island. Ruapehu is located at the southern end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The volcano is composed of andesite, and contains a single vent and a crater lake.

September 2007 Eruption and Lahar
A hydrothermal eruption occurred at Ruapehu on 25th September 2007. The eruption column reached 15,000 ft and two lahars were produced. The lahar to the north down the Whakapapa Valley reached into the skifield, while the floods down the Whangaehu Valley reached to just beyond the National Park Boundary.

March 2007 Lahar
A lahar occurred at Mt Ruapehu volcano on 18th March 2007. A wall of debris 300 m long, consisting of trees, branches, and rocks flowed down the Whangaehu River at the front of the lahar. The Department of Conservation rated the lahar as moderate. The river level rose by 2 metres and temporarily closed a road. The lahar was caused by a small breach in Ruapehu crater lake wall, which released water for about 45 minutes. The partial collapse of the volcano crater lake rim set off emergency warning systems, and the lahar was tracked flowing down the mountain. About 200 train passengers were stranded when the northbound Overlander train was stopped at Waiouru. Passengers were transferred to busses to complete the journey. The lahar passed over farm land and headed towards the sea. Weeks prior to the lahar a warning stated: "Melting snow at Ruapehu volcano has filled the summit crater lake to within 1.5 metres of the rim. A lahar is likely within weeks down the Whangaehu River."

2006 Hydrothermal Eruption
A small hydrothermal eruption occurred on 4th October 2006. Tsunamis in the crater lake reached a height of 5 m, but did not overflow the crater rim.

1997 Eruptions
During 9-12 October, minor steam and mud eruption were observed in the crater lake. A 1 km exclusion zone was placed around the crater lake.

1996 Eruptions
A series of eruptions occurred 16-18 June 1996 which quickly empted the crater lake, and was accompanied by ash column to several kilometres above the summit. Molten material was erupted hundreds of metres above the crater and bombs ejected to 1.5 km from the crater.

1995 Eruptions
Vent clearing eruptions occurred on 29th June and 3rd July. Larger eruptions began in September with plumes reaching an altitude of 12 km. On 18th September an eruption was accompanied by a magnitude 3.6 earthquake, and a lahar which traveled 57 km, and destroying a hiking bridge.

1953 Eruption and Train Disaster
On 24th December 1953 a lahar destroyed a rail bridge 42 km from the volcano, as a Wellington-Auckland passenger train was crossing. The accident resulted in 151 fatalities.

At least five other vents have been active during the Holocene.