Tongariro eruption possible within a week

Last updated 19:42 22/11/2012
Fairfax Media


Dramatic footage from crater camera

Mt Tongariro eruption

Aerial footage of Mt Tongariro


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Volcanic activity at Mt Tongariro remains low but the volcano is still emitting a significant amount of gas, GNS Science says.

The volcano erupted yesterday, for the second time this year, and scientists are now keeping watch on both Mt Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu, warning that further eruptions are expected.

The eruption at Tongariro's Te Maari crater about 1.30pm was thought to have sent a two-kilometre plume into the air but GNS Science confirmed today that the ejection was three or four kilometres high and lasted for about five minutes.

Mt Tongariro had lay dormant for more than 100 years until an eruption early on August 6.

Scientists today used an observation flight around the mountain to assess the extent of yesterday’s eruption.

The volcano was producing a lot of gas, but with no ash. The odour was noticed in the Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, the primary downwind areas of Te Maari, GNS Science said.

Depending on weather conditions people may notice the smell of sulphur 100km or more from the volcano. However, any health impact was likely to be limited to minor irritation of the skin and eyes.

Historical evidence shows that there may be more eruptions to come.



Signals included earthquakes, gases emitted and the ground swelling slightly.


Scientists only had those historical events to compare the recent activity to, and Fournier said that a series of eruptions in the late 1800s indicated that more eruptions were to follow.




The point of origin of yesterday's eruption was similar to that from August, but two currents were formed, GNS vulcanologists said in a statement.

These currents, called pyroclastic density currents, consisted of a mixture of ash, volcanic gas and atmospheric air.

The two small currents were formed to the west and north of the crater and were believed to have been created because the ash column did not have enough energy to rise, which meant it probably collapsed at the base and the currents flowed downhill.

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"There is no evidence at this stage of big blocks having been ejected far from the crater during the eruption."

There was also no evidence of magma reaching the surface.

With Ruapehu also recording activity, there was still an increased likelihood of an eruption there too.


While New Zealand vulcanologists didn't usually have to keep a close eye on two volcanoes experiencing heightened activity at the same time, they weren't letting anything slip, he said.







The agency did not have any further advice for people in the area other than what was on their website.

All roads in the area were open but police urged anyone driving nearby to be cautious - not so much of the volcano, but of other cars in the area.

Area Commander Inspector Steve Bullock expected traffic in the area to become heavier over the next few days as many people would want to take advantage of the clear conditions to visit.

"That is completely understandable and whilst we don't discourage people from now travelling to the area we are asking them to put road safety and their own safety before sightseeing."

People were urged to pull over to the side of the road to view the mountain rather than trying to view it while driving.



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