Temperatures and gas levels in Mt Ruapehu's Crater Lake remain high nine months after it erupted, and scientists admit further eruptions are possible.
The volcano last erupted on September 25 and GNS Science yesterday said it remained in a state of unrest and was showing unusual activity.
GNS Science volcanologist Michael Rosenberg said the elevated temperature and gas levels indicated the presence of magma in the mountain, but this was not necessarily a sign of an impending eruption.
"This is a natural system [which] you can't really expect to do a regular cycle of heating and cooling, and high gas and low gas."
However, Mr Rosenberg said GNS Science was carefully monitoring the mountain as it did any time there were changes to seismic activity, gas levels or Crater Lake temperatures.
"We have to do that in case these are precursors to an eruption ... It's a natural system and it will do what it will do."
Some gas levels have increased since last year's eruption, and carbon dioxide emissions are now about 10 times higher than typical levels.
Scientists fear more eruptions on Mt Ruapehu - 01 Jul 2008 - Natural disaster news - NZ Herald
01-Jul-2008, 07:14
Mt Ruapehu eruptions likely 
