Ngauruhoe in Eruption.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3134, 10 March 1909, Page 5

Ngauruhoe in Eruption.

VIOLEHTLY ACTIVE. LOUD REPORTS HEARD. VOLUMES OF SMOKE AND ASHES. LAVA RUNNING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. DISTRICTS COVERED WITH LAYER OF ASHES. TONGARIRO SAID TO BE IN ERUPTION.

By Telegraph —Press Association,

dust. The tops of the hills are obscured. Dust is floating like to* over the district.

WELLINGTON, March 9. The Acting Secretary of the General Post Office has received the following telegrams from the Post and Telegraph officers regarding the eruption of Ngauruhoe:— A report from Waiouru states: — "Ngauruhoe became very active early this morning. Loud reports were heard about 2 a.m. and the sky has been very overcast with dust and sulphurous ashes all day, and at present shows no sign of abating. It is understood that the coach from lokaanu is unable to leave there for Waiouru.'' The was received from Karioi: —"I am not sura whether it is Ngauruhoe or Tongariro, but I think that it is Ngauruhoe that is in eruption. Early this morning Karioi had a slight coating of a light slatish coloured ash. No one heard any report. Large volumes of smoke are going up and travelling due east towards Kaimana. This was probably from a change of wind. No alarm or danger is expected." The following report was received from Apiti: —"Volcanic dust has been falling here since 2.30 p.m. to-day. Reports to hand say that Ngauruhoe is in eruption." From Ohakune the following was received: —"Ngauruhoe is in eruption, which started at 5 p.m. yesterday with a rumbling noise lasting three or four hours. Smoke and steam at present are rising two to three thousand feet, obscuring Ruapehu. Some new geysers appear to j have broken out at the foot of Ruapehu on the Waimarino side. Oha- j kune was sprinkled with dust from j the mountain this morning." j

The mountains in the North Island are estimated to occupy about oneter.fch ot the surface, and do net exceed 4,000 feet in height, with the exceptionjof a few volcanic mountains that are more lofty. Of these, the three following are the most important:—

1. The Tongariro Mountain, situated to the southward of Lake Taupo. It consists of a group of distinct volcanic cones, the lava streams from which have so overlapped in their descent as to form one compact mountain mass at the base. The highest of these cones is called Ngauruhoe, and attains an elevation of 7,515 feet. Tha craters of Ngauruhoe, the Red Grater (6,140 ft.), and Te Mari (4,990 ft.) are the three vents from which the latest discharges of lava have taken place, the most recent having occurred in 1868. These craters are still active, steam and vapour issuing from them with considerable force ani noise, the vapours, charged with pungent gases and acids, making it dangerous to approach too near the crater-lips. 2 Ruapehu.—This mountain lies to the south of Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro. It is a volcanic cone in the solfatara stage, and reaches the height of 9,008 feet, being in part considerably above the line of perpetual snow. The most remarkable feature of this mountain is the crater lake on its summit, which is subject to slitrht and intermittent eruptions, giving rise to va3t quantities of steam. Recently—in Marcn, 1895 — such an eruption look place, forming a few hot springs on the margin of the lake, and increasing the heat in the lake itself. Tnis lake lies at the bottom of a funnel-shaped crater, the steep sides -of which ar: mantled with ice and snow. The water occupies a circular basin abouf 530 feet in diameter, some 300 feet below the enclosing peaks, and is quits inaccessible except by U33 of ropas. This lake, and the three craters previously mentioned on Tongariro, are all in one straight line, which, if produced, would pass through the boiling springs at Tokaanu on the southern margin of Lake Taupo, the volcanic country north-east of that lake, and White Island, an active volcano in the Bay of Plenty, situated about twenty-seven miles from the mainland.

From Tohaanu the following was received:—"Ngauruhoe burst out at eight a.m. this morning, throwing forth thick volumes of sand and steam. The mountain has been continually in erupton ever since with light reports. No earthquakes." Further details state that lava is running down Ngauruhoe. The Rangataua correspondent of the "New Zealand Times" telegraphs that Ngauruhoe is violently active, and dense volumes of smoke and ashes are issuing from the crater. Rangataua and all the districts to the southward of Ngauruhoe were covered with a thin layer of ashes this morning.

Reports from Tukaanu state that Tongariro is in eruption. The inhabitants in the district cannot see for smoke, and are much alarmed. EFFECTS EVIDENT IN TAIHAPE. By Telegraph—Press Association. TaIHAPE, March 9. The effects of an eruption of Ngauruhoe is very evident here, the town being enveloped in a cloud of

8. Mount Egmont.—This is an extinct volcanic cone, rising to a height of 8,260 feet. The upper part is always covered with snow. This mountain is situated close to New Plymouth, and is surrounded by one of the most fertile districts in New Zealand. Rising from the plains in solitary grandeui - , it is an object of extreme beauty, the cone being one of the most perfect in the world.