On this page: Mount Ruapehu, Recent major eruptions, Current
activity and monitoring, Useful links Mount Ruapehu is an active
volcano in the Waikato region. Mount Ruapehu can produce lahars
(mudflows) and ashfall following eruptions, which threaten
people and property as well as the area’s tourist industry.
Mount Ruapehu is one of the more active volcanoes within the
Taupo Volcanic Zone (others include Mount Tongariro and Mount
Ngauruhoe). It has been erupting regularly since 1969, with the
latest events in 1995 and 1996. Ruapehu’s eruptions pose a risk
to life and disruption to major power, economic and transport
services. - Mount Ruapehu usually erupts ‘andesitic’ material -
fine-grained brown or greyish volcanic rock. - Ashfall travels
further than most other material, particularly when carried by
the wind. - Lahars (mudflows comprised of mainly volcanic
debris) are likely to occur when the crater lake over flows or
the crater rim collapses and the water then mixes with snow and
volcanic debris from the cr