THERMAL ACTIVITY OF NO IMMEDIATE CONCERN TO SKIERS

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 14, 1 September 1987, Page 1

THERMAL ACTIVITY OF NO IMMEDIATE CONCERN TO SKIERS

Recent hydrothermal activity within Mt Ruapehu's Crater Lake gives no cause for alarm, nor does it pose a threat to skiers or the surrounding area, according to Tongariro National Park staff.

The temperature of the Crater Lake has risen from 11°C to1 33° C since July, but this is not unusual as there is a continual low level of activity, according to Conservation Officer ^ based in Ohakune, Lisle Irwin. Mr Irwin witnessed a display of hydrothermal activity last Sunday when he visited the Lake for a routine check of the area. Mr Irwin said he noticed some discolouration of the water and in the steam being jettisoned up from the middle of the Lake, caused through underwater debris. Jets of steam up to six metres in height have been observed and can be seen with the naked eye from as far north as Taupo. A team of DSIR scientists is expected to arrive in the area sometime this week to conduct various tests on the Lake's chemical content, its temperature and the immediate land around the crater. A recent small tremor registered just over 20 milli-volts on the early warning system at Park Headquarters, Whakapapa. The system's scale from 1-50 picks up minor activity at the crater - a register of 50 or more on the scale immediately activates a Stage One alert at the Park.