THE ERUPTION OF RUAPEHU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9774, 22 March 1895, Page 6

THE ERUPTION OF RUAPEHU.

[BY josiah MARTIN. ]

On Sunday morning, March 10, the snowcapped gianb Ruapehu was seen from the Splendid vantage ground afforded by Rosa' Terrace Hotel, Taupo, to rouse from his long slumber, and to lift) the snowy night-cap which had for so many years rested peacefully on his head. Presently it was evident that the gianb was fairly awake, and from his lofty summit there rose in elow and majestic grandeur a magnificent cloud. Soon it reached 1000 feet in height, then higher and higher it rose in calm clear | air in one unbroken column for upwards of 6000 feet. Seen from this distance, the shaft seemed composed of ascending rolling clouds which kept moving steadily upwards, and apparently dissolving into the cooler upper air. Then the centre of the shaft became darker and denser, and it was evident that a geyser eruption upon a scale of unparalleled magnificence was proceeding. A few hours later, and the lofty column was headed by a spreading cloud which opened on either side in mid air, fully 6000 feet above the mountain top Brilliantly illuminated by the rosy sunaob light, the eruption presented a scene of most sublime and transcendent beauty, and all observers were congratulating themselves upon their rare good fortune in being able to witness such a wonderful exhibition of volcanic activity. At sunset the rising wind bent down the column to about half its former height, and about an hour later the drift of a shower was distinctly seen failing from the over-arching cloud.

Nothing in any way alarming had been felt in this neighbourhood, and therefore spectators were not apprehensive of any serious disturbance. From this elevation the whole mountain system and the broad expanse of Lake Taupo, made together a most impressive picture, but from the shores of the Lake and from the hill at Wairakei, splendid clear views were obtained by many residents and visitors. Nearer to the mountain deep rumblings were heard on Saturday night and Sunday morning, and during the day a terrible roar, with a continuous earth tremour, accompanied the discharge. On the summit of the mountain,between the north and south peaks, was a vast crater lake fully a quarter of a mile in diameter, which has been noticed to vary very considerably in temperature. Mr. Park, F.G.S,, reported it frozen in 18S6; and Mr. H. Hill, 8.A., as boiling in 1890, with evidence then of recent geyser action. Mr. Ross also states that about that time he witnessed an eruption from the crater of successive puffs of steam, which sometimes reached a higher altitude than the cloud of Sunday last. There is also evidence of former outflows from the crater lake, but nothing of such unprecedented violence or importance couid have been anticipated. The contents of the lake were discharged at this latest eruption in rapid streams, pouring down the mountain side and flooding the Wangaehu River and discolouring the waters of the Wanganui. After all the water had been discharged the steam escaped with a thundering roar, and a large quantity of volcanic dust was expelled and distributed over the country in fine showers. On Monday lofty columns of steam occasionally ascended, but not to the Mine height as on the previous day, and only occasional puffs of steam have since been seen to rise from the crater.

While the eruption was in progress a thin thread of vapour ascended from the cone of Ngauruhoe, and curling cl uds could be seen on Tongariro, which indicated activity at Te Mari and Ketetahi. The mountain is now very easy of access, and ib will be interesting to know the probable depth of the crater hollow now that its contents have been expelled by such a violent outbreak, and what other modifications have followed the eruption of what may without doubt be considered as the grandest geyser in the world. Ruapehu, the highest mountain in the North Island, is the largest and most important in the Tongariro series, but in consequence of various difficulties with the natives it has not until recently received very much attention'from travellers and tourists. The group, which includes Tongariro (6000 feet) in the north, Ngauruhoe (7515 feet) in the centre, and Ruapehu (8878 feet) in the south, has recently been acquired by the Government and reserved as a national park. The district is now traversed by an excellent coach road, and is easily accessible from Auckland by Rotorua and Taupo ; from Napier by Crowther and Macaulay'a coach line to Taupo, and by Macdonald's coach via Kuripapongo to Moawhango ; from Wellington by rail via Hunterville, and by Peter's coach to Waiouru; and from Wanganui by Hatrick's steamer to Pipiriki and Peters'a coach to Waiouru. In each route, by two days' easy travelling, the base of operations may be reached. Wai-o-honu, about half-way between Tokaanu and Waiouru, is the best site for a camp of exploration, as there is here good grass and water and rough shelter for the night. The ascent of either mountain can be easily made in a day from this point. The new road—Tokaanu to Waiouru (45 miles)is traversed almost every day by Peters and Son's coach service, and as it skirts the base of the mountains it affords a most impressive panorama of the volcanoes. This road also forms the connecting link between the north and south road systems, and completes the through route between Wellington, Wanganui, Napier, and Auckland.