WARNING ISSUED

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 64, 13 September 1945, Page 5

WARNING ISSUED

VISITORS TO RUAPEHU

A warning to people who ventured I within the lip of the crater of Mount Ruapehu was issued yesterday by Mr. A. C. Beck, of the Geological Survey, j who has been at the mountain during! the past month. The chances of anyone being caught in an explosion, he says, are slight, but sooner or later someone will be unlucky. Mr. Beck stated that on Saturdaysome sightseers were on the Dome, at the edge of the crater. It was so quiet at the time that all seemed perfectly safe. But there was a sudden explosion, and the visitors were peppered with rocks. Fortunately, no one was injured. People should know that they are running a risk, and that in venturing in or near the lip of the crater they are endangering their lives. A telegram received today by the Director (Mr. M. Ongley) from Mr. Beck read: —"Moderate activity from single large vent 200 feet deep." Dr. Cotton, Professor of Geology at Victoria University College, has received inquiries from people who fear danger to Wellington ky wav °* an earthquake in the event of a serious eruption at Ruapehu. He states that there is no danger whatever, except near the mountain. WHAT AN AIRMAN SAW. The volcano provided a spectacular sight for the pilot of an aircraft who flew near the mountain on his way to Auckland on Sunday afternoon. The crater appeared to be quite dead until his machine was within about two miles of it, he stated. Then, at about 4 p.m., he observed two tremendous explosions. Black geysers that seemed to be composed of solid matter rose about 1000 ft above the crater, and then an awe-inspiring mushroom of smoke rose to a height of about 20,000 ft. The aircraft was flying at about 12,000 ft, and only the top of the mountain was above the dense cloud which covered the countryside. There was noticeable static on the aircraft's radio when the explosions occurred. Within about three minutes the column of smoke had reached its maximum height, and as it began to drift towards the east light debris fell like rain from the smoke. There were great spurts of white steam from around the lip of the crater after the eruption, and then the mountain was quiet again.