The Volcanic Centre.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 5401, 13 April 1909, Page 1

The Volcanic Centre.

Seat of Activity.

In reference to the reported activity of Ngauruhoe, it ia interesting to recall that the Central Mountains, as they are sometimes called, which occupy such a prominent position in the physiography of the North Island of New Zealand are not only central in their relation to the island itself, but they are midway between Mount Egmont on the west and White Island on the east coast, and a line from Mount Egmont to White Island runs almost due north-east; along this line are the volcanoes, beginning at Egmont—one of the most perfect cones in the world, not excepting Fuji San, in Japan—and embracing Huapheu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro, which are active, and onward to Pihangia, across Lake Taupo to Tauhara, Kaimonawa, Kakaramea, Tarawera, Mount Edgecumbe, Whale Island, in the Bay of Plenty, and White Island, about 25 miles farther out to sea. The line then goes further northeastward to the Pacific. This central region is particularly active, as visitors to Wairakei, OrakeiKorako, Tarawera and Botorua well know. Lava rhidlites, and pumice are the chief features of the surface of the country, and hot springs abound all along this line of least resistance to the internal pressure of the forces beneath the thin earth-crust. Lake Taupo itself seems to have been an old crater, and it is 592 ft deep, and has an area of 242 miles. What took place at Tarawera in 1886, took place also at Taupo, but ageß ago. At Tarawera it will be remembered, the region was quiet up to 1880, when the shores were lined with dead fish, probably poisoned by escaping gases. In 1881 and 1883 the waters of Rotokakahi rose without warning, and in 1885 the crater lake in White Island disappeared, leaving its bed dry. Considerable activity was manifested from time to time by the hot springs which had become unusually agitated, mud and water bursting forth at Beveral places near Tokaanu, at the Wellington end of Lake Taupo. In May, 1886, hot mud was poured out from a geyser close to the Pink Terrace and the

waves of Lake Tarawera rose one foot. It was at lam. on 10th June, 1886, that rumblings were heard and quakes experienced at Wairoa, eight miles from Mount Tarawera, also at Botorua. At 2.20 a.m. the rumbling increased to a roar, and clouds of smoke and vapour were seen over Tarawera. The noise of the thunder was deafening, and shocks continued, to 2.30 a.m. The cloud over the mountain worked its way westward, and was followed by a downpour of hot mud, water, and Btones, which continued up to 6 a.m. There was a great scorching wind, displaced by a fierce blast which rushed towards the eruption of Tarawera. Explosions were heard as far north as Whangarei, and as far south as Christchurch on the morning of the eruption. The sun was darkened up till 1 p.m. in some places by clouds of volcanic dust, which swept eastwards to the Bay of Plenty out to sea, and for several weeks earthquake Bhocks were felt with much frequency from the time of the eruption. There are evidences in the oentral mountains of much greater devastation than that wrought by the Tarawera eruption, and of much more extensive changes in the face of the country. Charred remains of forest trees are to be seen everywhere, and the railway cuttings for the Main Trunk Railway across the Waimarino plains are studded with pieces of charcoal well below the surface of the pumaceous soil. The Maori legend associated with the Central Mountains is very interesting, and it seeks to account for the north-east line of volcanic energy;

the chief Ngatoroirangi, who came over from Hawaiki in the Arawa canoe, was about to ascend Tongariro, but the intense cold of its snow-clad heights was too muoh for his son Ngauruhoe, who was with him. Accordingly he called to his friends at White Island to bring him fire, so that Ngauruhoe could be warmed. The fire was forthcoming, and that speedily, but it was brought (some say by a taniwha and some say by Ngauruhoe’s mother) in such hot haste that cinders were dropped on the way; and they are burning yet. But ere the fire arrived a boy, like the lad in Erl King, was dead. The chief, in his despair, flung the toroh upon Ruapehu, and it is smouldering there to - day.