BIG BLOW-UP PREDICTED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4, 9 May 1913, Page 5

BIG BLOW-UP PREDICTED

IN NEW ZEALAND

WHERE THE FAULT LIES

[ jut Electric Telegraph—Copyright]

[United Press Association, j (Received 11.55 a.m.) Sydney, May 9

Professor Percivnl,. volcanologist at the Freiburg University, who is returning to Germany, predicts a big blow-up in New Zealand, perhaps even more destructive than the famous Tarawera eruption. The cause of volcanic energy in New Zealand is along a line of fault running from the middle of the Bay of Plenty across the North Island, across north-east to south to south-west. Professor Percival said ho noticed a great increase in activity at Rotoiua since his visit in 1897, from which, with other indications, he.deduced that an outbreak was likely. He declared that if the magnetic pull operates over that region an eruption would occui. Tarawera was the safety valve of that area. The crater of Tarawera filled up probably and had finally become extinct, but there must bo a vent for volcanic energy, and it was impossible to say where or when it would break forth.