ALL IN LINE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31161, 10 September 1966, Page 3

ALL IN LINE

f.V Z. Press Association)

AUCKLAND. Sept. 9.

There were now two active underwater volcanoes to the north-east of the Bay of Plenty after a shift in activity since April, said Dr. A. C. Kibblewhite, of the Naval Research Laboratory, today.

He was commenting on a report that the Navy had recently discovered some underwater volcanoes in an area about 120 miles north-east of White Island.

“An active volcanic peak was discovered in this area by a Navy research ship in November, 1964,” Dr. Kibblewhite said. “It was located by underwater noises and named Rumble III.”

By November, 1965, the naval rsearch ship Tui had discovered six peaks, some more than 5000 feet. Only one of

these was active, but magnetic measurements showed the others had been active.

“Earlier this year unusual underwater noises led to the pin-pointing of another peak not shown on charts,” Dr. Kibblewhite said. "This is almost certainly an activg underwater volcano. It Is about 35 miles south-west of the original peak in the vicinity of latitude 36 degrees 10 minutes south longitude 178 degrees. “The significant thing is that these peaks are all in line with White Island. Whale Island, Rotorua and Taupo—a natural line of volcanic activity.”

Dr. Kibblewhite said naval research vessels frequently visited the area and dredgings over the peaks had picked up recently-expelled volcanic ash and rocks.