GNS Science has released a hazard map of the areas most at risk from flying hot rocks or pyroclastic mudflows should Mt Tongariro erupt again.
Surrounding and to the west and south of the Te Maari craters, where Tongariro erupted last Monday for the first time in more than 100 years, is the area at risk most from flying rocks and explosions from North Tongariro.
The area includes the Blue Lake, Red and North craters and the Ketetahi Hut.
Surrounding and to the north and east of the vents is the area most at risk of pyroclastic flows and/or mudflows, should the volcano erupt again.
GNS warned that many valleys on the map "may be at risk from hot, burning fast-moving pyroclastic flows, mud flows and lava flows".