Ruapehu volcanic risk downgraded

The volcanic alert level of Mt Ruapehu has been reduced to Level 1.

Temperatures have dropped from 46C to 23C and gas emissions are decreasing, indicating only minor volcanic unrest.

A flight yesterday found the gas output had returned to typical background levels for Mt Ruapehu, so the aviation colour code has also changed from yellow to green.

The data indicates the period of higher than normal volcanic unrest is over, but GNS Science volcanologists continue to closely monitor the volcano.