‘SUPER WAIMUNGU'

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21933, 30 January 1946, Page 2

‘SUPER WAIMUNGU'

RUAPEHITS CRATER - REMARKABLE CHIMNEY NEW LAKES SEEN (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Jan. 30. There is now in the summit of Mt. Ruapehu what the director of me igeological survey, Mr. Ongley, described as “a super Waimungu.” Mr. Ongley, who climbed the mountain at the week-end, said yesterday that when the next snow falls the skiing on Mt. Ruapehu would be as good as ever and there would be the additional attraction of a new Waimungu.

' Mr. Ongley was at the crater for three hours on Saturday afternoon. The day was perfect for climbing, but there was considerable steam at the crater, the chimney of which could be glimpsed only occasionally and then for a few seconds at a time.

He was accompanied by Messrs. D. Collins, G. M. Segedin and R. G. Jenkins, three geo-physicists who had been studying the mountain, and Mr. J. Healy, Rotorua, vulcanologist. There were new lakes on two distinct levels on the old crater area, one in the former crater bed and the other on half of the tholoid. The depth of the chimney, in which water was hissing and bubbling, was reliably estimated at 1000 ft.

“This was the first time we have been able to see down this extraordinary chimney, which was a remarkable sight,” said Mr. Ongley. “Occasionally the steam would clear and then we could have a brief view. The steam 1 clouds, which were devoid of ash, were accompanied by hissing shots from the pulsating, heaving water below, just like Waimungu. There were frequent geysers.” The track was clear, and the climb was not difficult, absence of ash and dust having improved the conditions considerably, Mr. Ongley said his men were inclined to think that the volcano's serious activity had now ceased. It had certainly diminished, and it did not seem that there would be anything spectacular again yet awhile. •'••He also commented on the absence of dangerous gases. There was only a little sulphur dioxide and no hydrogen sulphide. The steam clouds were varied by many delicate shades of blue, indicating the btirning of sulphur.