Lahar Warnings on Ruapehu Ski Areas

Volcanic mudflows (lahars) are a potential sudden threat to skiers and others on Mount Ruapehu following eruptions from the crater lake. There is a warning system in place that tells you what to do. (Eruption and lahar footage courtesy of Geoff Mackley).

[@visionmediaproductionsnz]

It would be great if you could create a video showing people what to do when it happens. How to get down in a safe way using the correct ridges. The evacuation plan!

[@hudsonquay]

The warning system should be: "IMMEDIATELY GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE VALLEY OR YOU WILL BE DEAD"

[@riversong1]

@GNS Science For Deaf people or people who are HH, do you have visual alarms/alerts? Or some other method that is not dependent on full hearing?

[@robertglennienz]

Not all of the people on the skifields will speak English and certainly not all will know what a lahar is. Granted 90 seconds is not much time, will people from countries where there are no volcanoes understand the warnings in time to make themselves safe?

[@AlohaMilton]

90 seconds is not going to work. Sorry but relocate or accept that warning system is pointless. This is a perfect example of compromising until a non functional theory of a system is acceptable because of 'stakeholders concerns'. You should move the ski hill to a slope that does not get lahars. You already are pushing it with the whole 'ski hill on an active volcano' thing, how much tempting fate is too much?

[@erikandreassen6531]

Move to a high ground your on a mountain for god's sake. All you can do is get out of the way. If you are lucky you can be in a safe zone.

[@kiwigeofreak]

Not all of the people on the skifields will speak English and certainly not all will know what a lahar is. Granted 90 seconds is not much time, will people from countries where there are no volcanoes understand the warnings in time to make themselves safe?

[@hermangre]

they will be toast.

[@Froggability]

It's Darwinsm at its finest