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Story: Historic volcanic activity

Explosive Ruapehu

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Explosive Ruapehu

Although increased seismic activity and small hydrothermal eruptions in the crater had been observed in mid 1995, Ruapehu exploded spectacularly on 23 September 1995. This was the first time that members of the public became aware that an eruption was underway.

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by Dougall Gordon

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How to cite this page

Eileen McSaveney, Carol Stewart and Graham Leonard, Historic volcanic activity – Ruapehu since 1945, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/6878/explosive-ruapehu (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Eileen McSaveney, Carol Stewart and Graham Leonard, published 2 March 2009.