Lahar

Mount Ruapehu

This is a very active volcano which can erupt without warning.  Most eruptions send floods of water down the Whangaehu Valley and less commonly down into the Whakapapa Ski Areas, both of which are outside the Taupo District.  Large eruptions and other events can affect the District, but in almost all cases only by ashfall.  Alarm systems operated by the Department of Conservation or monitoring by GNS Science using GeoNet normally provide sufficient advance warning for people likely to be affected.