Ruapehu Crater Lake heating up

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 568, 28 December 1994, Page 2

Ruapehu Crater Lake heating up

A warning has been issued by the Department of Conservation to stay away from Mt Ruapehu' s Crater Lake. The temperature of the Crater Lake had risen significantly in the last few days prior to 22 December. Although this is part of the lake's normal cycle, the public could be at risk if they venture too close to it, said Whakapapa conservation officer lan Goodison. In the past a rapid rise in the lake's temperature has often been followed by small hydrothermal phreatic eruptions. This frequently happens abruptly and without warning and it is for this reason that the public are advised to stay away. Mr Goodison said peo-

ple should not go down to the Crater Lake or to its outlet. "People would be at risk if they go any closer to the lake than the Dome Shelter." He said the Department didn't want to be alarmist and stressed that the temperature rise is a natural occurrence which happens

about three times a year. In November the lake's temperature was 15°C. Wednesday last week it had risen to 30°C and Thursday it was 33°C. Normal monitoring of the lake was to continue and updated information is available from the Whakapapa Yisitor Centre and other local DoC offices.