Two Lava Streams Yesterday from Mount Ngauruhoe

Grey River Argus, 19 February 1949, Page 3

Two Lava Streams Yesterday from Mount Ngauruhoe

WANGANUI, February 18.

Two separate streams of molten rock were pouring from the crater of Mt. Ngauruhoe this morning as the volcano entered a new phase of activity, not so violent as that recorded last week, but productive of far morq rock, ash and smoke. After a fairly quiet night, there was a terrific explosion from the crater at 6.15 a.m. Then from the Chateau Tongariro, six miles away, it was noticed that there was fresh lava on the old northern track, where it poured down last week, and molten material was also pouring down the western side at a point where it had not been seen previously. The Chateau expected a de'.ailed report on the lava flows late in the day when the Government geologist, Mr L. R. Allen, returned from Ngauruhoe. He tramped to Ngauruhoe with a visiting English scientist yesterday and spent last night in Mangatepopo hut. It is expected, therefore, that he would witness this morning’s eruption from a close quarter.Although cloud obscured, the volcano later in the morning, Chateau observers believe that lava was flowing down the new western trail again, following two quick-lire explosions at. 9.30 a.m. Lava could not be seen from the hotel, but clouds of steam rising from the foot of the western slope suggested that there had been a fresh flow.