Waiouru settles into (pos[?] long-term eruption mode

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 606, 3 October 1995, Page 5

Waiouru settles into (pos[?] long-term eruption mode

By

Michele

Monaghan

The international and national media have had a field day with it, sightseers have been awed by it and people living at the base of the erupting Mount Ruapehu are slowly coming to grips with it. On Saturday 23 September Mount Ruapehu erupted in a spectacular display of strength, spilling lahars (rivers of volcanic mud) in different directions and spitting out a huge mushroom cloud visible from as far north as the Bombay Hills. Since then eruptions have continued on a frequent basis setting Waiouru families on edge. For many, Monday 25 September was 'D Day ' . Shall I stay or shall I go? What about the kids, the animals, the family photos? Bags were packed in readiness for a quick getaway, fresh water was stored. In Waiouru the school, kohanga reo, kindergartens and daycare centre were closed and volcanologists said if a big one

was coming it was going to be soon. For some the nervous tension and the belching mountain were too much. Backs of phone books were ripped off and taped to windows, cars were loaded, pets packed up and an orderly exodus followed. Petrol station attendants were kept busy with people filling up to leave or preparing to leave. Those who stayed buried their butterflies and several impromptu neighbourhood parties were reported, all of them outside with eagle eyes glued on 'that mountain'. Army units including Queen Alexandra' s Mounted Rifles decided soldiers would be able to concentrate on their jobs better if families were safely elsewhere, so an evacuation using army transport was prepared. QAMR families were 'warned out' on Sunday and on Monday at 1500 hours, after an active day from the mountain, the order to move was issued.

Commanding Officer of QAMR, Lieutenant Colonel Alan Johnson, said about 55 women and children left in convoy for Linton camp. "Partners and wi ves were quite happy to go. With Op Radian Three in theatre a lotof wivesdidn'thavetheir partners around. We had to make sure they were okay ," Lt Col Johnson said. In Linton most families were housed in the gymnasium with some being billeted out. Back in Waiouru twice-daily civil defence meetings were held and a concrete plan for the whole of the Army T raining Group was formulated in the event of an evacuation becoming necessary, Lt Col Johnson said. Vehicles are now standing loaded with stores and units have specific tasks in the event of 'Operation Evacuation'. Messes have been closed and catering support is being concentrated out of the 800-man mess supported by Block

III. A vehicle monitoring and control centre has been set up by 4th Transport Squadron with specific dri vers and vehicles standing by ready for any volcanic emergency. Commanding Officer of 4 Tpt Sqn, Major Chris Ploughwright, said ATG has a total of 70 Land Rovers, 80 Unimogs, 4 coaches and 20 CL vehicles, all being kept tabs on by the control centre. His unit has been tasked with providing transport to civilians and soldiers without vehicles in the event of an evacuation becoming necessary. Water for the camp and housing area is being checked regularly for acid levels and the fire station has about 23,000 litres of drinking water stored. Families return Most families have returned to Waiouru and the school and other childcare centres re-opened on Thursday 28 September after a two-day closure, although attendance was reported to be down. The prospect of living near an angry volcano is not at all pleasing: some

people are slightly uneasy while others don't want to be any where near it, but really have no choice. If events carry on as they did in 1945, there will be plenty

more to come. A long stay away from home is just not practical, so people are resigning themselves to the fact they have to bury their fear and get on with life.

The nightly routine now includes checking where the car keys are, having clothes and shoes at the ready and going to sleep with an esTurn to Page 6

Waiouru into eruption mode

FROMPAGE5 cape list fixed firmly in mind. Cars are packed with clothes for a couple of days as well as family treasures, important papers and (if you're organised) a spare car air filter. In 1945 Mount Ruapehu erupted intermittently for nine months. An evacuation plan had been prepared for W aiouru, but was never needed. Ash fall-out however did see 700 vehicles moved to Linton to avoid corrosion. Ash fall-out so far has not been too bad in the Waiouru housing area, although fine dust particles have been caus-

ing throat and eye irritations. ATG Public Information Officer Major Alan Goodwin said ash deposits were quite heavy on the Paradise Valley road and this area has been closed off. There was also a light dusting in an area south of Moawhango, he said. Ash did force a brief closure of the Desert Road on 25 September with drivers reporting difficulty seeing. Acid rain has also been reported and this is perhaps the biggest fear for those in the shadow of the mountain. Rain and some types of volcanic ash can form sulphuric acid.