Scientists reflect on the 1995 Mount Ruapehu eruption

Tuesday 23 September 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Tue 23 Sep 2025, 8:42am

Thirty years ago on Tuesday, Mount Ruapehu erupted, sending an ash plume 12km into the sky. Scientists present during the event suggest that luck, rather than management, prevented fatalities during the eruption and the subsequent emergency response.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZTue 23 Sep 2025, 7:02am

   'Best day of my life': Volcanologist remembers Mt Ruapehu eruption of 1995 (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldTue 23 Sep 2025, 7:40am

   Mt Ruapehu eruption 30 years on: How science and response have changed (opens in new tab)

3. 1News via RNZTue 23 Sep 2025, 8:42am

   'Power of nature': Volcanologist remembers Mt Ruapehu eruption of 1995 (opens in new tab)