CDEM Volcanic Update 7 August 2pm

Tuesday, 7 August 2012 2:00 p.m.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group said it will continue to stay in contact with GNS Science to monitor volcanic activity in the region, however a national advisory from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management regardingMountTongariro's volcanic activity has been cancelled.

Tongariro Volcano erupted at 23:50hrs Monday 6 August 2012, light ashfall was recorded to the north and east of the volcano.

The latest assessment from GNS Science is that eruption activity has subsided. White steam clouds were observed at the historically active Te Maari craters area. There is no ash being produced from the volcano presently. There have been no lahars or pyroclastic flows or lava flows.

It is too early to predict the next series of events, but GNS Science expects heightened activity may continue for several weeks. There are likely to be specific signals of future magma movement beneath the volcano and GNS Science continues to monitor the situation through the GeoNet volcano-seismic network of instruments.

As with any volcano, an eruption could occur at Tongariro at any time with little or no warning and there is an elevated level of risk, particularly on the northern slopes and valleys of the mountain. The volcanic alert level for Tongariro volcano remains at alert level 2.

Therefore we advise a continued precautionary approach towards activities in the vicinity of the Tongariro volcano, to stay clear of restricted areas and to check with Department of Conservation on status of roads and National Park access.

This is the last Advisory for this eruptive episode. Additional Warnings or Advisories may be issued should the activities of the volcano change.