Volcano Live

Rotorua, New Zealand

38.08 S, 176.27 E
summit elevation 757 m
Caldera

Ruapehu is one af New Zealand's most active volcanoes. Ruapehu has a single vent with a crater lake. At least five other vents have been active during the Holocene. Intense volcanic tremor occurred on 17th July 2000 under the volcano.

Large Hydrothermal Eruption in 2005
One of the largest hydrothermal eruptions at Rotorua since 1948 occurred on 19th April 2005. The eruption was observed by two farmers who witnessed a column of steam, mud and rocks ejected 200 m into the air. The eruption created a 50 m wide crater.

2003 Hydrothermal Eruptions
Two hydrothermal eruptions occurred at Kuirau Park on 6th November 2003. The explosion mud, rock, and ash 14 m into the air, and destroyed trees around the crater.

2001 Hydrothermal Eruption
A hydrothermal eruption occurred at Rotorua on 26th January 2001. This was the largest hydrothermal eruption since 1966. A hot muddy pool 3 m in diameter in Kuirau park was the source of the eruption. Blocks and ejecta were thrown 100 m high and 1 m diameter blocks were thrown 50 m away.

2000 Hydrothermal Eruption
On 18th September 2000, spring 653 erupted, producing waves and surges. The eruption occurred on private land and may have been caused by removal of a clothesline pole and anchoring concrete block three days earlier.

Fatalities from Hydrogen sulphide poisoning.
Fatal hydrogen sulphide poisoning has occurred at Rotorua in 1946, 1948, 1954, 1962, and 1987.