NZ Volcano Comes Alive

[boxfree]

Ash cloud over New Zealand as giant volcano erupts for the first time in 115 years
By TRAVELMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 05:57 EST, 7 August 2012 | UPDATED: 06:26 EST, 7 August 2012
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An eruption of one of New Zealand’s biggest volcanoes has seen flights cancelled and roads closed, with a giant ash cloud billowing into the sky above the Pacific nation.
Mount Tongariro exploded into life at around 11.50pm local time (12.50pm local time) yesterday – the first eruption by this rock behemoth in 115 years.


Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2184869/Mount-Tongariro-eruption-New-Zealand-volcano-spews-ash-cloud-eruption-115-years.html#ixzz22u9tD1KT

[boxfree]

They are saying that it is a hydro-thermal release...blowing off steam.

[Wes Gear]

Better to blow off a bit of steam rather than blow the mountain into the sky.

[DarrylMckay]

It has now been confirmed that the White Island volcano erupted; the first time since 2001.

White Island tended to have volcanic episodes which lasted a few months to a few years, so this could just be the start of more to come, GNS vulcanologist Michael Rosenberg said.

Scientists were scrambling to figure out yesterday whether the volcano, off the coast of Whakatane, had erupted earlier this week, but a visit to the island this morning confirmed it had.

An ash cloud of about 200-300 metres suggested it was a weak eruption, GNS vulcanologist Brad Scott said.

"This is the first ash emission from White Island since February 2001 and represents the start of a new phase of volcanic activity at White Island," Scott said.

"Visitors to White Island are now at the highest level of risk since the end of the 2001 eruptions.

‘‘Additional hazards to visitors to the island now include the health effects of volcanic ash and acid gas exposure, including respiratory issues, skin and eye sensitivity to acid gases."

Black ash was still charging out of a vent on the south-west corner of the crater, while new craters had been formed from material ejected from the explosion, Scott said.

The island showed volcanic activity at 11.30pm on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Mt Tongariro erupted for the first time since 1897.

Although the two volcanoes are on the same tectonic plate, the eruptions were not connected, Rosenberg said.

While Mt Tongariro continued to emit steam and gas, White Island was now only emitting ash.

Ashfall from White Island is isolated to the immediate area, which is 48km off the Bay of Plenty coast.

The volcano is New Zealand's most active and largest cone, but only a quarter of it is visible as the rest is under sea.

It is privately-owned but is a hot tourist spot, with many sight-seeing tours by either boat or plane.

The last big eruption, in 2000, saw a new vent develop, displaced the main crater lake and formed a new 150 metre-wide crater.

It followed a series of eruption episodes, which first started in 1998 and ended in February, 2001, Rosenberg said

www.stuff.co.nz/national/7444937/Toxic-chemical-found-in-Tongariro-eruption-ash

Things are heating up.

[brillbilly]

yikes,thats a bit close to home for you oz guys?
lets hope it dies down

[DarrylMckay]

25,000 sq km sea of pumice floats off New Zealand
MICHAEL FIELD AND STACEY KIRK
Last updated 13:31 10/08/2012

A navy ship heading to the Kermadec Islands has sailed into a huge 25,000 square kilometre area of pumice pieces north of Auckland.

It is believed to be from New Zealand's third erupting volcano – the undersea mount Monowai. In the past week both Mt Tongariro and White Island have erupted.

The navy said the raft – 463 kilometres by 55 kilometres – was spotted by an RNZAF Orion returning on patrol from Samoa.

Canterbury, which left Auckland on Wednesday, sailed to the raft to pick up a sample.

GNS scientists are aboard the ship, which is also carrying 30 high school students on a Sir Peter Blake fellowship to Raoul Island.

GNS vulcanologist Craig Miller said they were aware of the ''pumice raft'' but did not know the exact dimensions of it.

He said it was difficult to guess how big the pumice raft could be, but the air force had flown over and assessed its size.

"We've been in contact with the air force recently about it. But it is floating more than 1000 kilometres offshore, so it's a while away."

Miller said the pumice raft was about "half way to Tonga", and just past Raoul Island.

[DarrylMckay]

[boxfree]

OK...hows about a description of what we are looking at Darryl. Are those pixel burns in the first photo? 4 little dots

[concrete]

Aug 10, 2012 22:10:41 GMT 10 boxfree said:

OK...hows about a description of what we are looking at Darryl. Are those pixel burns in the first photo? 4 little dots

Pumice island.