RUAPEHU, MOUNT

active volcano and highest peak (9,176 feet ) on North Island, New Zealand, in Tongariro National Park. Mount Ruapehu is situated on the Taupo Plateau, which rises 2,000 to 3,000 feet (about 600 to 900 m) above sea level, Ruapehu erupted in 194546 and again in 199596. The volcano is forested below its line of permanent snow cover. Above the line, glaciers flow from the peak. Within the crater lies a lake, which is drained by the Whangaehu River. Ruapehu is the most southerly of the large volcanic cones within the park, the others being Ngauruhoe (7,503 feet ) and Tongariro (6,453 feet ). These mountains form the centre of one of New Zealand's major ski resorts. Ruapehu was first climbed to its highest point by J. Park, C. Dalin, and W.H. Dunnage in 1886.