ASCENT OF VOLCANO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25799, 21 March 1945, Page 4

ASCENT OF VOLCANO

REPORT BY EYE-WITNESSES (P.A.) WANGANUI, Mar. 20. The heavy clouds of steam and smoke rising from Mount Ruapehu during the past few days are coming from a 30ft wide cone which has formed in the middle of the crater lake. This was reported by eye-witnesses - who ascended the mountain from, the Chateau Tongariro this morning. Securing the best view of the disturbance possible so far, they reported that the colour of the lake remained unchanged, and its level was the same as usual. The edge of the smallercone was visible about 2ft above the water near the middle of the laife, and it was from this that the steam visible from Wanganui was emanating.. At times when a light wiridv blew the steam clear of the cone there could be seen a dull red, as of hidden tire beneath it. Although . steam and smaller quantities of .black smoke were rising steadily from the cone, there were frequent intensive vibrations, indicating tremendous pressure somewhere beneath the lake, accompanied by echoing and booming sounds. There were no signs of rocks and mud erupting as previously reported.