THE MAL ERUPTION

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1931, Page 3

THE MAL ERUPTION

..jfiW GEYSER AT ROTORUA. STARTS ON LAKE FRONT. < By Telegraph—Per .Press Association) ROTORUA, June 18. With terrific suddenness a new and spectacular geyser broke out at six p.m. on Wednesday near the mouth of .he Puarenga Stream on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Its first shot went over one hundred feet. It remained then playing until four a. 111., when it subsided.

The geyser broke out with renewed violence to-day at three p.m., and it was playing continually afterwards every few minutes.

The first activity in this locality occurred a few weeks ago twenty yards from the present outbreak, when a former geyser suddenly erupted, endangering .two nearby occupied Maori whares, but after playing for a few days, it subsided. The occupants of one whare were a couple with three infants, and of the other an elderly couple. They have been disturbed since by a continual trembling of the ground, and they evacuated the whares a week ago, expecting a fresh outburst. The present outbreak is right in the yard of these whares, completely engulfing the clothes line, and spattering muddy water round the dwellings. when visited this afternoon the geyser was playing magnificently, and in its shots a huge quantity of boiling muddy water over forty feet, the whole being surrounded by, a pillar of steam.

The scene is reminiscent of the vVaimaunga district. There is a continual trembling of the ground one hum-red yards away.

Thermal activity has been noticeable in Rotorua during the last few weeks. The Pohntn Geyser has been playing regularly, and sending tip fine shots.

Ti,n Rotorua Lake front is also very active.

The present outbreak is the biggest for many years. The crater is over •two hundred and fifty feet in circumference. If it, continues, it will compensate in some measure for the loss ii the AYiimaunga Geyser. Vote. Last week unusual activity was observed in the geyser area at .lakarewarAva. Yesterday week the /Rohutu Geyser gave three magnificent displays, one “shot” rising to about 100 ft. The, Cauldron, which always precedes IPohutu. also was very active, sending large volumes of water and s‘eam to a height of 20ft and over. The -Waikoroh'hi, a’ smaller geyser which lies ill between ,the old Wairoa Qevser and 'Rohutu has also V?em unusually; active, playing for three weeks past, which, it. had not done for years previously. , /