The system has been the subject of studies since monitoring equipment was installed in the area in 1970.Information panel "Waimangu Monitoring Station" at the outflow from Frying Pan Lake, GNS Science and Waikato Regional Council Four distinct phases can be recognised in its cycle: First, the lake level rises steadily from its lowest level by a total of almost over the course of eight days, and then it commences oscillating. The average lake level keeps rising over the course of the oscillations of the second phase until it reaches overflow level. At that point, the lake's volume has increased by .
