WAIRAKEI ERUPTION

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 10

WAIRAKEI ERUPTION

Break-Through By Fumarole

<N .Z Pvesb Association > TAUPO, May 14. Underground heat sources erupted on the Wairakei geothermal field this afternoon after a minor earthquake fcit throughout the middle of the North Island. A fumarole broke through the ground alongside the main pipeline and after travelling 50 feet in a southerly direction has since been erupting steam and mud. Tonight, workmen were attempting to shut down a nearby producing bore—bore 37—in order to flood it with water. It is hoped this will quench the fumarole. In a telephone interview tonight the project engineer (Mr A. C. L. Fookst said it was hopeo’ this action would prevent any serious trouble. The fumarole had first been’ noticed soon after mid-dayi when a number of bores oni the field had shown some change in their normal characteristics. It had grown larger during the afternoon Mr Fooks said that if al large crater resulted from the eruption it might be necessary to move the main pipeline. Engineers are not sure at present whether bore 37 is the culprit in this instance, but Mr Fooks said tonight he’ was taking no chances. “Bore 37 is the nearest to the fumarole so we are going to quench it first." he said Although there did not appear to be any danger to the pipeline at present, should! the fumarole grow, as didl bore 204 last year, it might: be necessary to move the 1 line out of the way. Mr Fooks said there was a lot of underground boiling j going on around the area and’ scientists would be making; checks of all heat sources He understood there had been. some change in the normal; characteristics of some bores during the early afternoon.