THERMAL BLOW-OUT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 127, 21 January 1932, Page 5

THERMAL BLOW-OUT

DANGEROUS AREAS 2 WATER DIVINER URGES THAT ' WARNING SIGNS BE EKECTED. REGION OF BIG "FAULT." "* The dangers arlsing from cer- . . tejn phases of thermal activity were discussed yesferday by Mr. A. G. Thompson, water diviner, of Rotorua, in the course of a * cliat with a "Post" representative ^ concerning the recent blow -out on the shores of Lake Rotorua.

At the time of the outburst Mr." Thompson was in Otahuhu, but he is quite familiar with the locality and has carried out close investigation of che conditions existing there. It is some four years since he: traced a big "fault" from the Whaka thermal area right across Forestry Avcnue to the shores of the lake. This "fault" or fracture, in the earth's crust, ends up in the lake close to the point where the blow-out accurred. Several months ago, when there was a blow-out at Ngapuna he visited

the locality and found that two fractures, or underground streams, were" running from the big "fault" toward Ngapuna, at which point they practically junctioned. At this time Ngapuna Geyser was situated in a swamp a short distance from the junction. The ground there appeared quite safe and at the time of his visit a horse' and visitors were walking about. After going over the locality, however, he warned the Maoris that it was /ery dangerous. In the vieinity ofihe junction the imderneath streams; were working very violsncly and he* irged that the place be r". oided, aai i.o provide additional Si-eurity ha gested that a fence be erected as ar protection. He also advised , the ubandonment of the whares situated* between the two streams. "My warning about the f?rice was* tiisrc.garded," said Mr. Thompson, - "and a day or two later there was. a blow-out, but this, luekily, occurredi in the morning when few people were" •vbout." He was not a bit surprised' ..t what oecurred, as the two violentlyworking fraetures were always ' a ource of danger. Taking a RisL: "I understand," he continued, "that Ihe natives are still occupyxng oue , ■f the whares a little baek from the; junction of the streams. Perhaps they; ihink they are perfectly safe at this point. However, if ignorance is bliss,* i suppo.se they will sfcay there, but if * they fuliy rcalised the danger their whare is in they would not be able- ■:.) get away quick enough. A blowout- may occur at any time." Commenting on the upheaval in thei lakq on Monday evening, he said it =ad, apparently, occurred on the line j£ the big fracture. The earth's crust in that area was evidently weak' ind any alteration in pressure due to. the rising or falling of the water . Jevel in the lake wras calculated toi ause a blow-out at any momentb The ondition of the locality was such that preeautions should be taken to prevrent accidents. Much of the ground was unsafe and he considered it would oe wise to erect signs of warning, so that dangerous ai"eas could be'ap-.' jroached with caution. If the autho-: eities decided to take action he would ,e pleased to point out where hei chought such signs should be plaeed.