RUAPEHU IN ERUPTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3763, 20 April 1907, Page 2

RUAPEHU IN ERUPTION.

Auckland, April 18. The Raetihi correspondent of the New Zealand Herald telegraphs that an interesting change has taken place in the appearance of Mt. Ruapehu. On Tuesday the mountain was capped with snow, but on Wednesday it was seen to have lost its whiteness and become of a bluish-grey colour. There is nothing whatever to explain this extraordinary transformation, but the fact that an eruption has evidently occurred somewhere on the mountain. It is considered most probable that the hot lake on the Eastern side of Ruapehu, which has recently been more than usually active, has, instead of sending up clouds of steam only, caused an upheaval of something more substantial. It is scarcely likely that the Ngaruahoe volcano is the cause of the trouble, it being several miles away, and much lower than Ruapehu. During the past two months, Ngaruahoe has been very active, throwing ashes and mud to a considerable height. The lake on Ruapehu has also at intervals emitted clouds of steam; on several occasions tremendous volumes of steam issuing above the mountain top. Heavy rumblings and explosions have been frequently heard at Ohakune, presumably from Ngaruahoe. A correspondent of the Herald, telegraphing from Ohakune, states that the appearance of Mount Ruapehu remains unchanged. Apart from a slight earth tremour and underground rumble about 11.30 last night, there are no further indications of eruption. The mountain was completely hidden from view to-day, being enveloped for the greater part of the time in clouds of steam. The deposit of volcanic matter is not so large as was at first supposed. The correspondent adds: — “Numerous theories have been advanced in explanation of the strange phenomenon. It is, however, very uncertain whether or not the strange supposedly-extinct volcano has awakened from its long slumber.”