VOLCANIC ACTIVITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 31, 5 February 1910, Page 5

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY.

A GRAND PICTURE. (From Our Lady Correspondent.) RAURIMU, Friday. At 11.30 a.m. to-day Ruapehu, for the first time since 1886, started in active eruption. Looking at it from Raurimu, a huge column of steam is ascending from behind the two peaks, locally known as the "Maiden's Breasts." At 12.30 that side of the mountain was bare of snow, though it is still lying on the side towards Ngauruhoe. It is a magnificent spectacle. The sky Iβ cloudless, except for the huge pall of steam, and this is increasing every hour. The general opinion here is that the bottom of the lake has blown out, but whether this is true or not, it is impossible at present to say. Mr. E. Gould, who has been in the district for many years, informs mc that there was some eteam erupted in 1894, but neither that nor the 1886 eruption was on anything like the awe-inspiring scale of the present one. Ngauruhoe is likewise giving one of the finest displays she has yet shown. Immense waves of black smoke and ashes are rolling down her on every side, while from the centre of this columns of white steam are shot fully two thousand feet into the air. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) RAURIMU, Priday. Black smoke and steam are rising from Ngauruhoe, ibut only steam from Ruapehu—two 'high columns east and ■west. T3ie peaks present a jjicture of grandeur indescribable.