Scientists alert for signs of Ruapehu eruption

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Scientists will be monitoring Mt Ruapehu closely over the coming weeks with fears the volcano could erupt at any time.

Mount Tongariro erupted for the first time in around 100 years in August and scientists say the volcanic activity throughout the region is linked.

Some tourism operators are reporting an increase in business, with outdoor enthusiasts keen to see the mountains in action.

Tramper Simon Townsend told ONE News: "I think we would have done it anyway but to come and see a volcano actually steaming - it's really worth doing."

Scientists are also trying to work out the nature of any possible eruption.

"We think there has been a build-up of pressure underneath the crater lake and we are concerned if that pressure is released suddenly, we could have an eruption," said GNS vulcanologist Steven Sherburn.

"The eruption in 2007 which threw rocks around the summit area and sent some lahars down the upper part of the mountain - that we believe was driven by a failure of a sealed zone like we're talking about at the moment," he said.

A local guide says volcanic activity in the region is keeping him busy.

"We've got massive vents that are spewing out hot steam and smoke and some fantastic craters that have been the result of the bombs that have come out of the crater on August the sixth," said Stewart Barclay from Adrift tours.

An exclusion zone's been set up to keep people away from the dangerous parts of the mountain and lahar warning systems are in place on and around the mountain.

The Volcanic Alert Level is currently set at 1 or yellow to indicate signs of volcano unrest on Geonet.org.nz.

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