Ruapehu Shows Eruption Signs

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30451, 27 May 1964, Page 18

Ruapehu Shows Eruption Signs

(Neu> Zealand Frets Association)

WELLINGTON, May 26.

The Government vulcanologist, Air J. Healy, believes there is every indication Mount Ruapehu may erupt.

Mr Healy will fly over the crater to inspect activity when the weather permits.

“There is every indication that an eruption may take place,” he said from Rotorua in a telephone interview tonight. A member of Mr Healy’s, staff travelled to the mountain today and is expected to report on the position tomorrow.

During the last few days rumbles and vibrations have been reported from the mountain- Water in the crater lake has become hotter and fumeroles on the lake edge have become more active than usual.

Special recording instruments on Mount Ruapehu show vibrations and explosions are taking place under the mountain at a rate of two a second. The manager of the Chateau Tongariro, Mr C. Traill, said that all was quiet on the mountain tonight. The Chateau was fully booked for the opening of the ski season this week-end and huts would be well patronised. Mount Ngauruhoe is also showing signs of increased activity with huge plumes of smoke and steam drifting from the crater.

Mr Healy said the recorded movement under the. mountain could be caused by lava forcing its way up' a- “pipe” to the crater. “This theory is borne out by the fact that water in the crater lake is increasing in temperature,” he said.

i When the mountain last erupted in March, 1945, a small island formed in the middle of the lake before the eruption took place. This was the lava forcing its way up the crater.

Mr Healy said it was impossible to judge the magnitude of the possible eruption. It was not possible to say when it would take place, if at all.