Bigger eruption simmering? Magma bubbles higher in New Zealand’s Tongariro volcano

August 10, 2012 – NEW ZEALAND – Tests have revealed that magma is bubbling higher than usual in Mount Tongariro, which means further eruptions are more likely. A series of samples have been tested since the volcano’s Te Mari crater erupted on Monday night, but the latest results give the greatest insight. “We’re now convinced that the likelihood of this just being a one-off has decreased,” GNS vulcanologist Nico Fournier said. “But it doesn’t mean it’s just about to blow and go pear-shape.” The results detected sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide in the steam plume, which indicated that magma was closer to the surface than it usually was, Fournier said. It was unclear how high the magma was – it could be anything from metres to kilometres, Fournier said. If a magmatic eruption did occur then it wouldn’t necessarily be significant, he said. It could result in a lava flow or it could lead to a series of explosions. “It doesn’t mean it could be a massive eruption, it could be passive,” Fournier said. It was also likely that Monday night’s eruption could be followed by a series of steam eruptions or no activity at all, Fournier said. Civil Defense, along with a number of other organizations including the Department of Conservation, would continue to monitor the volcano’s activity. There was no new advice or warnings that stemmed from the latest development, a Civil Defense spokesman said. –Stuff