Volcanic alert in New Zealand

"Business as usual” would be a good way to describe an entire attitude in this country.

Tongariro volcano alert at new high

A "sudden rise" in volcanic activity at Mt Tongariro has prompted scientists to lift its volcanic alert status for the first time.

NZ Herald,

20 July, 2012

But local businesses and conservation authorities remain unconcerned as they seek to reassure visitors it is "business as usual" at National Park.

GNS Science this afternoon lifted Mt Tongariro's volcanic alert status from level zero to level one, and increased the aviation status from green to yellow.

It said a series of more than 20 "small" volcanic earthquakes had been recorded at Tongariro since July 13 - more than the average of two per year according to historic seismic data.

The quakes, below a magnitude of 2.5 and between 2-7km deep, were recorded in a cluster zone between Emerald Crater and Te Maari craters.

The sequence of earthquakes soon declined but restarted on Wednesday and increased in number yesterday and today.

GNS volcanologist Brad Scott said it was the first time the alert level had been lifted at Tongariro since the alert system was introduced.

"It's displaying some form of unrest. We don't know exactly what's driving it, if we did we'd be saying."

For article GO HERE