Location: Mount Tongariro
District: National Alerts
Volcanic Activity
Short description: Volcanic Activity
Full description:
Just prior to midnight last night the Police Central Communications Centre received a call from a member of the public
who reported seeing an eruption on the northern face of Mount Tongariro from his location on SH 46 near Lake Rotoaira
West of Rangipo. He described seeing flame like explosions and a cloud of ash coming from 'a new hole in the side of the
Mountain.'
No reports of injuries or damage has been received to date but a joint agency incident management centre has been
established at the Whakapapa Department of Conservation Visitor Centre. GNS Science are monitoring the seismic activity
on the Mountain and DOC and Police staff are preparing to check nearby tramping huts at first light. No further volcanic
activity on the Mountain has been reported since that initial call to Police.
Light ash has been reported falling on SH's 1, and 46 and as far East as SH5 near Te Haroto and onto Napier City itself.
Due to possible danger to the public Police have closed SH1 between Rangipo and Waiouru (Desert Road) and SH46 West of
Rangipo. SH47 and 4 remain open at his stage as does SH5. Motorists are being advised to avoid travel in the area and
these closures will be re-assessed once daylight reveals the extent of the ash cloud and other related safety risks have
been assessed.
ENDS