WHAT IS HAPPENING AT WHITE ISLAND VOLCANO??? New Zealand/Kermadec & South Pacific QUAKE/VOLCANO WATCH

Ruapehu run still on despite extra activit
20th Nov 2012 8:00 AM

[link to www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz]

Organisers of an adventure run on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu are meeting volcanologists amid fears it could erupt in coming weeks.

Signs of increased volcanic activity since last week prompted the central North Island mountain's Aviation Colour Code to be raised from green to yellow to reflect signs of elevated unrest.

The Goat, a 21km run from Whakapapa to Turoa Ski Fields across the western slopes of Mt Ruapehu is due to take place on December 1.

Organisers yesterday said the event was still planned to go ahead, but they have met volcano experts and would continue to monitor the situation.

Changes in measurements at the volcano over the past few weeks showed pressure was building and an eruption was more likely over "the next weeks to months", said GNS Science volcanologist Steven Sherburn.

"It's pretty much status quo at the moment and we're waiting on a good day to go up there and take some samples," said volcanologist Nico Fournier.

In particular, experts were for checking for increased earthquake activity, and changes in crater lake levels or the chemical composition of the lake, which were all potential signs of increased volcanic activity, he said.

Last week the temperature a few hundred metres beneath crater lake was about 800C, but the lake itself was only about 20C, suggesting a vent was partly blocked, which may be leading to a pressure build-up, Mr Sherburn said.

"A sudden release of the pressure may lead to an eruption."

Experts are monitoring activity at the volcano.

Small earthquakes have been occurring about 5km beneath the summit area of Ruapehu since late October, but these might not be directly related to the high temperatures beneath crater lake because they were much deeper, said GNS scientists.

The last eruption at Mt Ruapehu was in 2007.

A year earlier, an eruption also occurred and caused a small earthquake near the crater.

[link to www.google.co.nz (secure)]

many images of ruapehu

another swarm type signal at wether hill road

[link to www.geonet.org.nz]

[link to www.geonet.org.nz]

its good to see the mangatainoka drum back on

[link to zl2tod.net]

the nz seismo drums

lots of messy signals

and more now

11/17/2012 -- 6.1M earthquake in Tonga -- EIGHT 6.0M+ in the past 7 days (week)

Published on Nov 16, 2012 by DutchsinseReloaded
NEW Dutchsinse youtube channel here! : [link to www.youtube.com]

11/14/2012 -- Global Earthquake Overview -- Multiple points of unrest -- Have a plan

Published on Nov 14, 2012 by dutchsinse
Use the links here to monitor earthquakes nationally, and internationally:

11/18/2012 -- Solar Flare Today -- after Large Solar Prominence eruption yesterday

Published on Nov 17, 2012 by DutchsinseReloaded
Started a NEW youtube channel -- [link to www.youtube.com] -- new videos being uploaded there until my main Dutchsinse account clears up.

Earthquake Forecast for November 2012

Published on Nov 2, 2012 by Love1andbeloved1
93% Accuracy... This video is trending away from the series of videos listed as "Global earthquake and volcano watch/warning", they have had a success rate of 93% in predicting dates according to subscribers.

The Sun and the planetary lineups recurring cycles can not be ignored. Frequency has a massive effect. Updates/Conclusions Will Be Listed Below, Please Take Time To Review.
**********************************************Conclusions:***​*******************­************************

6.1 2012/11/02 18:17:33 MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES
7.4 2012/11/07 16:35:50 OFFSHORE GUATEMALA
6.3 2012/11/08 02:01:51 VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION
6.8 2012/11/11 01:12:38 MYANMAR
6.5 2012/11/11 22:15:00 OFFSHORE GUATEMALA
6.4 2012/11/12 20:42:15 GULF OF ALASKA
6.0 2012/11/13 04:31:27 OFF THE COAST OF AISEN, CHILE
6.1 2012/11/14 19:02:06 COQUIMBO, CHILE
6.0 2012/11/15 09:20:23 GUERRERO, MEXICO
6.4 2012/11/16 18:12:00 KURIL ISLANDS
6.1 2012/11/17 05:12:57 TONGA REGION

3.9 18:01:35 Tue 20 Nov 2012 Depth: 292.8 km

3.6 14:44:44 Tue 20 Nov 2012 Depth: 5.1 km

AUDIO: Ken Ring claims Mt. Tongariro prediction - Audio

Weather predictor Ken Ring calls Willie & JT to lay claim to predicting the recent volcanic eruptions on his website and on his Twitter account. Ken says there is a large solar eclipse due on 14th November at around 10:30am. "You usually get extreme weather, or an event like an earthquake or an eruption, within a couple of months on either side." Mr. Ring claims the stress caused by the moon disturbing the earth's electromagnetic fields during orbit causes these events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. 7th August 2012.

[link to www.radiolive.co.nz]

Ken Ring talks on the Italian scientists facing prison for not predicting quake - Audio

Karyn & Andrew talk to Ken Ring, renouned Earthquake predictor, on Italy's decision to jail six Italians who failed to predict a quake that killed 309 people. October 23rd, 2012

[link to www.radiolive.co.nz]

Is there any point in the CTV inquest? - Video
One More Minute With Marcus: Lush runs through the morning's news. Halloween has passed. Brits told to eat Kiwi lamb. CTV inquest - what is the point?

[link to www.radiolive.co.nz]

CTV failed quake rescue under the microscope - Audio

3News Reporter Jeff Hampton who covered the covered of the CTV building in the February 2011 earthquake tells RadioLIVE's Marcus Lush about the evidence being presented at the inquest into the deaths of 8 people who initially survived the quake. 1 November, 2012

[link to www.radiolive.co.nz]

Loving the cardboard cathedral concept! - Video

One More Minute With Marcus Lush: Marcus runs through his personal highlights from the morning show. The cardboard cathedral of Christchurch is coming along, Valerie Adams is in New Zealand for her medal ceremony and Gerald Celente - take a listen!

[link to www.radiolive.co.nz]

Mt Ruapehu risk: Adventure run to be moved

[link to www.nzherald.co.nz]

An adventure run on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu will be moved if the volcano does not erupt by this weekend.

Organisers of the Goat Adventure Run, a 21km trail from Whakapapa to Turoa Ski Fields, met Department of Conservation staff yesterday after Ruapehu's volcanic alert level was lifted last week.

DoC has warned climbers and trampers not to enter the summit hazard zone within 2km of the crater lake.

Run organiser Jason Cameron today said the run may still be able to go ahead on its designated course if the volcano erupts by this Saturday.

If not, it is feared Ruapehu will be too volatile.

The run will need to be moved to a 17km contingency course, which would start at the bottom of Ohakune Mountain Rd and finish at the Turoa Ski Fields.

Mr Cameron, the director of Victory Events, said the Whakapapaiti and Mangaturuturu rivers on the designated course could be impacted if a significant eruption.

"The logistics of moving a large number of people across these rivers in a small amount of time holds a risk we and DoC are not prepared to take,'' he said.

"We take the safety of our participants very seriously.

"It is important that we respect the guidelines given to us as a DoC concessionaire in Tongariro National Park and we respect the mountains and their unpredictable nature.''

GNS Science has said changes in measurements at the volcano over the past few weeks showed pressure was building and an eruption was more likely over "the next weeks to months''.

Experts were monitoring activity at the volcano.

The last eruption at Mt Ruapehu was in 2007.

A year earlier, an eruption also occurred and caused a small earthquake near the crater.

- APNZ

sorry this is late, i just found it:

[link to info.geonet.org.nz]

Ruapehu Volcano update

GeoNet monitoring of Ruapehu volcano has continued although we have been a little distracted by eruptive activity at Te Maari (Tongariro) and White Island.
The Crater Lake was last hot in December 2011/January 2012 when temperatures rose to over 35 °C. Since then the lake has cooled, reaching about 16 °C in May and has fluctuated between 18 and 24 °C since then. When visited last week the temperature was 19.5 °C. The lake is a blue-green colour with weak convection near the centre.

Ruapehu volcano often has some form of seismic activity associated with it. For the last month weak volcanic tremor has been present on the records and more recently several small earthquakes have occurred under or near the volcano. The largest has been about magnitude 2.

Recently we have also completed a gas flight at Ruapehu. We can detect sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). On 26 October the gas flux was: sulphur dioxide 63 tonnes per day and carbon dioxide flux 908 tonnes per day.

Volcanic Alert Bulletin RUA-2012/01 - Ruapehu Volcano

[link to info.geonet.org.nz]

16 November 2012, 10:00 am - Increased likelihood of eruptions at Ruapehu; Volcanic Alert is at Level 1; Aviation Colour Code is raised to Yellow
Recent measurements at Ruapehu indicate that the likelihood of eruptions has increased, GNS Science said today.

The Aviation Colour Code has increased from Green to Yellow, but the Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.

GNS Science Duty Volcanologist Steven Sherburn said, “We have been measuring changes at Ruapehu over the last few weeks and believe these changes make eruptions more likely over the next weeks to months”.

“We are monitoring Ruapehu closely, but it often does not give any immediate warning that it is going to erupt,” Dr Sherburn said.

"We think that the temperature a few hundred metres beneath Crater Lake is about 800 °C, but the lake itself is only about 20 °C. This suggests the vent is partly blocked which may be leading to a pressure build-up beneath Crater Lake. A sudden release of the pressure may lead to an eruption."

Since late-October small earthquakes have been occurring about 5 km beneath the summit area of Ruapehu, but these may not be directly related to the high temperatures beneath Crater Lake as the earthquakes are much deeper.

Background
Aviation Colour Codes are based on four colours and are intended for quick reference only in the international civil aviation community. Code Yellow indicates that a volcano is experiencing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels.

The Volcanic Alert Level ranges from 0 to 5 and defines the current status at a volcano. Level 1 indicates a departure from typical background surface activity.

A build-up of pressure beneath Crater Lake is thought to have caused the 2007 eruption and a smaller eruption in 2006.

Brad Scott, Steven Sherburn
GNS Science Volcanology

Kiwi helps find Asian monster volcano

[link to www.nzherald.co.nz]

A Kiwi scientist has helped discover a monster volcano under Hong Kong.

Its prehistoric eruption has been linked to a dinosaur extinction event.

The world has only about 50 known "supervolcanoes" on the scale of the one Dr Roderick Sewell and his team uncovered.

And what is now known as the High Island Supervolcano has changed ideas about what formed Hong Kong's unique landscape.

Geologists previously thought the area's geography was created by a series of eruptions, rather than one super-sized, catastrophic event 140 million years ago.

The volcano's remnants stretch across much of the southern part of the area and cover the whole of Hong Kong Island. The centre of its core is directly below the city's CBD.

Dr Sewell, a University of Canterbury-trained geologist who now heads Hong Kong's Geotechnical Engineering Office research team, compared the size of the blast to that at Taupo 27,000 years ago - the world's most recent supervolcano eruption.

The size and composition of the two volcanoes were similar, as was the huge volume of ash and rock they spewed forth.


Taupo's catastrophic eruption sent about 1150cu/km of material into the environment, and the Hong Kong event produced about 1300cu/km.

That was about 500 times more than the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in the Philippines 21 years ago, which was to cool the world's temperature by about 0.4C.

"Such a colossal eruption would have had local and global effects and we think because it was very active in the region, there were probably other types of supervolcanoes going off," Dr Sewell said.

Because the eruption occurred on the boundary between the cretaceous and jurassic periods he believed it might have wiped out some terrestrial species of dinosaur. "It's a compelling justification for perhaps the jurassic-cretaceous period itself."

Surveyors had been studying Hong Kong's geology for years, but it was a striking match between its volcanic rock and granite equivalent that led to the breakthrough.

"The connection between the magma chamber and the volcanic rock convinced us we are looking at a single, very large magmatic system, and when we did the volume calculations of the erupted material, we found it was on a super scale," Dr Sewell said.

That "a-ha moment" came in 2008.

The past four years had been spent proving it. "We couldn't quite believe it when we saw it."

The New Zealander is now convinced more supervolcanoes are waiting to be discovered around the south China region.

"We suspect this is just a microcosm of what is happening on a broader scale.

"There could be other gigantic volcanoes lurking - it's just a case of going and looking for them."

Q&A: Volcanoes

What are supervolcanoes?
The US Geological Survey defines them as having produced an eruption reaching magnitude 8 on the volcano explosivity index, meaning more than 1000 cubic km of magma has been erupted.
None of these enormous eruptions has occurred in recorded history, and their effects would be catastrophic on a global scale. There are about 50 known supervolcanoes in the world.

Are there any in New Zealand?
New Zealand is home to the Taupo caldera, which produced the world's most recent supervolcanic eruption 27,000 years ago.

Is it likely to erupt again?
In the near future, not likely. Volcanologists say it is possible the next 50 years could bring worrying but benign signs of unrest, but any activity would probably be signalled months, if not years, in advance.

3.1 04:57:09 Wed 21 Nov 2012 Depth: 292.1 km

3.1 01:58:35 Wed 21 Nov 2012 Depth: 8.0 km

Small eruption likely at Ruapehu

[link to www.3news.co.nz]
video

By 3 News online staff
Scientists say there's an increased likelihood of an eruption on Mount Ruapehu.
They've discovered evidence of growing pressure under the mountain's crater lake.
GNS Science volcanologist Tony Hurst spoke to Firstline this morning, where he said temperatures have started to rise in the mountain’s gases – while water in the crater lake has remained at a constant temperature – suggesting a blockage.
“That’s the sort of thing that happened in September 2007 when there was an explosion from the crater lake… [it’s a] fairly common thing to happen at Ruapehu every few years,” he says.
Mr Hurst says the mountain has not started to bulge, which would suggest a buildup of magma, so GNS is confident a large-scale eruption is not imminent.


Read more: [link to www.3news.co.nz]

Orcas surprise Auckland beachgoers
video

[link to www.3news.co.nz]

Orcas in Waitemata Harbour
By Jono Hutchinson
Several orcas made a visit to Waitemata Harbour this afternoon, much to the delight of beachgoers.
The pod of orcas swam west from Mission Bay to a spot near the suburb of Point Chevalier.
The marine mammals drew some curious land mammals down to the beach to have a look.

“I got a phone call from a friend saying, 'Come to Raymond Street, you can see orcas in the harbour,' and so I came down, and brought my son to have a look,” says Ned Phillips.
A small boat went out with a 3 News cameraman on board and a young orca watcher.
“It was just like nothing I've ever done before,” says Eloise Woodley-Phillips. “And it was fun, and it made my heart flutter.”
The Department of Conservation says the orcas would have come to the harbour to feed on stingrays.
3 News


Read more: [link to www.3news.co.nz]

Oldest flashmob hits Queen St
video

[link to www.3news.co.nz]

New Zealand’s oldest flashmob performed on Queen Street today to a surprised and elated crowd.
The Lifemark Flashmob is all about drawing attention to the elderly's growing need for purpose-built housing.
Watch the story behind the mob from Campbell Live
It is sponsored by the Lifemark Seal of Approval, which is awarded to homes built to specific design standards.
The group is made up of senior citizens from Waiheke Island who have been practising the dance for some time.
They are hoping their performance will, like other flash mob events, go viral on the internet – although the concept of 'going viral' might be a bit of stretch for some nonagenarians.


Read more: [link to www.3news.co.nz]

Flashmob haka takes over Trafalgar Square
video

[link to www.3news.co.nz]

Tourists in London's Trafalgar Square got more than they bargained for today as a flashmob haka took over the iconic landmark.
The flashmob haka phenomenon started as a warm up to the Rugby World Cup but it had never been done in London, until now.
3 News Europe correspondent Melissa Davies was there.
3 News


Read more: [link to www.3news.co.nz]

Yacht taking on water off Kerikeri coast
video

[link to www.3news.co.nz]

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 9:25a.m.
Coast guard volunteers have been unable to rescue three people on board a yacht off the coast of Kerikeri that was taking on water last night.

Maritime NZ received the mayday call just after midnight, when the yacht was 28 nautical miles off the coast of Kerikeri, in the Bay of Islands.

A helicopter from Whangarei was sent to investigate, but difficult conditions stopped it from delivering water pumps to the 13.7m sloop.

The coast guard reached the yacht this morning at 8am, but have been unable to get anyone off the yacht.

The three adults on board are said to managing, and are being shadowed by the coast guard until they can reach land, which is expected to be some time after 10am.

No one is believed to be hurt.

3 News



Read more: [link to www.3news.co.nz]

VIDEO: Waterspout forms off NSW coast

[link to www.3news.co.nz]

By 3 News online staff
A huge waterspout has been filmed off Batemans Bay in New South Wales, Australia.
The waterspout developed on Sunday afternoon, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Thunderstorms, heavy rain and winds of up to 100km/h have lashed the region in recent days. Over 24,000 lightning strikes were recorded in the state over the weekend.
Waterspouts only form in certain conditions but are also unpredictable, according to a senior meteorologist at Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, Peter Zmijewski.
''They are impossible to forecast,'' he told the paper. Zmijewski says waterspouts can be formed by ‘wind shear’ – differences in wind speed or direction over short distances – when the water is warmer than the air and the air is unstable. Contrary to appearances, he says they do not suck up water.
Watch the video to see the waterspout in action.
3 News


Read more: [link to www.3news.co.nz]

[link to www.waikatoregion.govt.nz]

Mount Ruapehu erupts
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
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 crater and valley floor. Lahars can travel very fast over long distances.
Mount Ruapehu’s crater lake fills the volcano’s vent, and contains 8-10 million cubic metres of acidic water. This is a potential hazard to people climbing up to the crater lake.
A lahar was the cause of the 1953 ‘Tangiwai Disaster’, New Zealand’s worst rail disaster. The lahar rushed down the Whangaehu River and damaged the rail bridge, derailing the train and killing 151 people. To prevent a similar event happening again, the crater and its lake are regularly monitored with the aim of warning people in the potential path of a lahar. The Whakapapa ski area is also at risk and sirens warn skiers. Find out more about the crater lake's current status.

Recent major eruptions
Ruapehu’s most recent major eruptions in 1995 and 1996 affected 100,000 people in the central North Island:

The 1996 eruption produced at least seven million tonnes of ash, with 2.3 million tonnes falling on Lake Taupo.
Drinking water contamination affected people and animals, particularly in rural areas.
Ash got into waterways, reducing water clarity in some streams and increasing acidity in others.
Metal structures and vehicles were damaged by ash.
Tourism activities were disrupted, causing a downturn in the area’s economy.
Dangerous levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) were found on the mountain.
Ash in Tongariro River resulted in damage to the Rangipo Power Station.
Ashfall lowered visibility, disrupting air travel at times, as the plume (which could be seen by satellite) travelled north east to the coast and across the Bay of Plenty.
Find out about the effect of Mount Ruapehu’s eruptions on Lake Taupo.

These events also threaten ‘lifeline’ services such as water, power, telecommunication and transportation networks. Find out more about managing Lifelines to deal with unexpected emergency or natural hazard events.

Current activity and monitoring
The Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) monitors volcanic activity in New Zealand and updates alert levels. These alert levels give an indication of how active a volcano is, on a scale of 0-5. Normal background levels are ‘0’, while ‘5’ indicates a large volcanic eruption is in progress. Ruapehu is currently active at Alert Level 1. Check out the latest volcano bulletins from GNS.

Waikato Regional Council is involved in discussions and planning for an alarm system to reduce the risk from a lahar. See our map for more information about lahar zones in the Waikato region.

The potential impact of future eruptions can be minimised by:

monitoring the volcano for any advanced signs of impending eruption. For example:
earthquake activity
crater lake temperature
crater lake level
crater lake water chemistry.
This allows early warning so suitable action can be taken.

analysing Ruapehu’s past volcanic history to create an eruption profile. Understanding the size, type and frequency of eruptions, lahars, lava flows and ashfall emissions helps us to:
detect patterns and identify potential volcanic activity on the Mountain
prepare more effective and suitable responses to future threats (such as emergency responses and mitigation).
Find out more about Waikato Regional Council’s risk mitigation plans.

For policy information on natural hazards, see section 3.8 of our Regional Policy Statement.

Useful links
Waikato Regional Council - Natural Hazards
Waikato Regional Council - Geothermal Activity
Waikato Regional Council - Civil Defence and Emergency Management
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences has more information on Mount Ruapehu’s history, hazards, site alert levels and descriptions.
The New Zealand GeoNet Project provides real-time monitoring and data collection for rapid response and research into earthquake, volcano, landslide and tsunami hazards

tongariro is really smoking!

[link to www.geonet.org.nz]

holy shit!

tongariro has erupted!!!

[link to www.geonet.org.nz]

here is the latest camera shot
[link to www.geonet.org.nz]