GeoNet reported that the crater lake temperature has decreased since the last update. On 21 December the temperature reached a maximum of 43 °C that subsequently declined to approx. 41 °C. A lake temperature peak of approximately 40-46 °C is common during the heating-cooling cycles. The lake temperature exceeded 40 °C on at least 7 occasions since 2007. According to lake temperature decrease, estimated energy into the crater lake has decreased from 400 MW to 200 MW.
The elevated tremor continues accompanied with volcano-tectonic earthquakes. The largest earthquake with magnitude M 2.2 located under the volcano occurred on 26 December. Volcanic earthquakes of this size are uncommon and the combination with elevated tremor and still high lake temperature indicate moderate to heightened volcanic unrest.
The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2.
Source: GeoNet New Zealand volcano activity update 28 December 2020
