NEW ERUPTION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 879, 27 July 1910, Page 5

NEW ERUPTION.

ITS POSITION DESCRIBED. FRYING-PAN FLAT BLOWS UP. AN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondents Auckland,. July 26. The' new eruption at the Echo Crater may or may not mean a rejuvenation of tho old monster Waimangu. Tho Echo Crater is next door to what the Americantourists called "a half-acre of hell with the lid off." Where Waimangu used to lift its gigantic pillar, tho eruption of Tarawera in. 1886 opened (or reopened) a fissure- or rift, known as earthquake nit, extending from tK great red chasm m the sido of Tarawera, through tho Kotomahana Lako bottom, and south-westerly over tiio' hills to what was afterwards known as Waimangu, thence- southerly oi south-westerly for many miles towards aud beyond Waiotapu. This rift over Us first section was dotted with separate and independent craters, the order of. the mam ones starting from Rotomahana was Black Crater, Interim Crater, Echo Lake Crater, Southern Crater. .From the Black Crater, which is an elevated point, the hillside slopes down, and on tun siopo u huge dark gash belching steam represents tho Inferno. Down on tho flat - is the Echo Lake, and between them broke forth some ten years ago the huge geyser Waimangu. It was estimated that Waimangu threw its water 1000 teet. and , hurled great stones lor hundreds of feet. The present outburst will hardly occasion anj surprise. It is situated -along a line of fault. From tho Echo Lake and Waimangu Craters a valley runs right down to Rotomahana, carrying into that lako the overflow water ot the district. When Waimangu was active and hurled tons of water in all directions-a raging boiling torrent'used to, rush down this valley to the* lake, and 'it was 'into this • torrent that the hapless victims of the 1903 fatality were washed when they were caught by tho falling ejecta. It has been remarked that this valley, varying from 300 it. to 400£t. deep, runs parallel and quite,close to the rift, yet tho eruption of 188G did not cliooso tho valley which would appear to be the line of least resistance, but showed a preference for cleaving the spurs and- hills rather than the lowor ground. Advices lrpm Rotdrua received to-day state:'"On Sunday evening last at seven o'clock the whole of the plain known ns Frying-pan Flat blew up. r Rocks and rubble of- quite considerable dimensions were'thrown to a great height. Great activity has eventuated. The old Waiinaiigu Geyser has become really unidentifiable, but a new crater has formed 25 yards by 15 yards in size, and mud, shore rock, rubble, etc., are thrown up at regular intervals from the new crater. The eruption will alter the geography'of tht> whole district, and ■ sightseers arriving will sec the cosmos in the making every ten minute.-., 'l.'heie is an impressive display, and it is difficult to forecast the ultimate scope of dim outbreak." SOME UNEASINESS). " (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 26. The "Star's" correspondent at fiotorua telegraphs that the original crater, of Waimangu Geyser is scaled, but anew crater has Ireen formed ' on Frying-pan Flat, over, which tourists have been conducted for .the past six years. On Sunclay evening the wholo plain known as Frying-pan Flat blew up, rocks and rubble of quite considerable dimensions being thrown "sky high." It is impossible to' forecast the ultimate scope of the outbreak. ■ The proximity of the eruption to Tarawera after a.silcnco of six years is regarded as of some significance, and is causing, some uneasiness.