Ruapehu - IGNS - Science Alert Bulletin V95/44

Sunday 15 October 1995
1700 hours NZDT (UT +13)
Ruapehu Volcanic Activity

Situation Summary

As of 1700 hours, the following information is available.

*     Since 0930 hours this morning volcanic tremor continued at
fluctuating but relatively low levels. The tremor record from the Dome
(summit) fluctuated between intervals of moderate to low tremor.

*     The weather conditions today have prevented visual observations of
the volcano.

*     The Institute field parties have made observations and collected
samples from the ash produced by the eruption last night  (i.e. 14
October).   The thickness of the ash fall was 1 cm on the Desert Road just
north of Waiouru.  In the Central Hawke's Bay region, between Dannevirke
and Waipawa, the ash fall amounted to a "light dusting."  Preliminary
analysis of the ash shows it to be similar in composition to the ash
erupted on last Wednesday (11. October).

Summary and Alert Status

The present eruption episode is continuing at a reduced level. We advise
that the Alert Level remains at 3.

Dr T Thordarson for
Dr CJN Wilson, Programme Leader, Volcanology