New Zealand's Mount Ruapehu volcano has erupted, spewing mud and rocks down one of the mountain’s ski slope and forcing the closure of the Whakapapa ski field.

Ski lodges and local roads were temporarily closed after the eruption on Tuesday evening.  A climber was seriously injured when rocks crashed through the roof of the mountain hut where he was staying.

Whakapapa remained closed on Wednesday but expects to reopen on Thursday September 27 but check www.mtruapehu.com for the latest updates.

Click here to see a webcam showing the layer of black ash and mud covering the mountain’s snowy slopes.