CLIMBERS WATCH LAVA STREAMS AND MOLTEN ROCKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22867, 10 February 1949, Page 6

CLIMBERS WATCH LAVA STREAMS AND MOLTEN ROCKS

(P.A.) RAETIHI, Feb. 10. A first-hand description of the course of the eruption was given by Messrs. T. P. Baker and R. 11. Batzs, Wanganui, members of the Mount Egmont Alpine Club, who spent Tuesday night in the Mangateporo Hut on the lower north-east slope of Ngauruhoe.

They said that at 1.30 a.m. on Wednesday morning they were awakened by slight tremors. An hour later there was a fairly violent jolt and they went outside to see a very bright red glow over the top of the mountain and through the clouds which covered it. Molten rocks were coming down through the cloud layer. At 8 a.m. rocks were coming down to the 4500 feet level and by 10.30 a.m. the cloud had cleared and lava streams were seen extending down to the 5500 feet level.

These occurred continuously between then and 1 p.m. while the eruption seemed to be working up in intensity.

They then decided to leave for the Chateau by which time the whole place was trembling continuously while clear flames rose 500 feet above the top of the mountain.

Molten rocks were being thrown to an estimated height of 1000 feet above the crater.

One lava stream by then was estimated to be more than 30 yards across and travelled very fast to a much lower level than the others. This activity was intensified up to 3 p.m. with terrific continuous thunder punctuated by explosions every few seconds. The activity died away after 4 p.m. to be replaced by a surging rumble punctuated at intervals of half an hour to an hour by violent explosions.

WELLINGTON POLIO CASE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 10. A new poliomyelitis case was reported in the Wellington health districtyesterday. She is a girl, aged 19, from Strathmore Park, Wellington.