ERUPTION OF LAVA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 70, 23 March 1945, Page 6

ERUPTION OF LAVA

RUAPEHU EXPLOSION MOST VIOLENT IN MEMORY O.C. CHATEAU TONGARIRO, this day. The eruption of lava from Mount Ruapehu was seen by people at Waiouru early this morning. About 1 a.m., a glow of flame over the mountain was seen from the Chateau. The eruption yesterday reached a violence which, according to residents of the locality, has no precedence. Tremendous explosions are continuing. Hot rocks, black smoke and columns of flame were shooting from a new volcanic cone in the centre of the Mt. Ruapehu crater lake, when observers climbed to it from the Chateau yesterday morning. The terrific, sharp explosions have greatly increased since the last ascent, which was made on Tuesday. The cone is now an island 300 yards across. The guide at the Chateau, Mr. Angus Manson, said that observation of the cone was difficult because of the clouds of steam raised by the shower of hot rocks and stones continually falling into the water. Subterranean Rumblings Describing the subterranean rumblings as "quite frightening," Mr. Manson reported that they could be distinctly heard at the Chateau several miles from the lake. He observed the spectacle from a position on a peak on the south side of the lake. Mr. Manson said that newly deposited rocks, which were visible round the edges of the lake probablyweighed up to 2cwt, while there was a deposit of greyish ash round the rim of the crater. The placid-like waters had turned into steaming, rolling surf as rocks fell into it, and there had been an appreciable rise in the level. Mr. Manson's party watched the activity for several hours, and much difficulty was experienced in taking photographs of the cone, which was estimated to have increased in width to approximately 300 yards. When the lake was inspected on Tuesday the cone was about 30 yards in diameter and the crater lake more than a mile. Wide clouds of steam are blowing quickly away to the north Side. Several R.N.Z.A.F. planes have flown over the lake, and their crews have had more success with photographs. On his return from the peak, the guide collected several specimens of rock which had been thrown from the inner cone and these he intends to submit to geologists. Like Shrapnel Firo Mr. Manson was accompanied by two other members of the Chateau hospital staff, Messrs A. Saunders and B. Ratcliffe. It was, estimated that the mountain was emitting two or three dozen large boulders with each burst of activity, and their explosions as they fell back into the water and disintegrated added to the terrific noise. Mr. Manson said the explosions "sounded like shrapnel ■ fire." While he was climbing round the crater, one terrific explosion sent a shower of big rocks 1000 feet into the air. Mr. H. Woods, of the Chateau hospital staff, said the eruption was a tremendous one, and was keeping people awake at night in the district. Maori residents showed distinct signs of nervousness, and the howling of dogs throughout the night added to the uncanny atmosphere.