7 August 2012, 2.30pm

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence and Emergency Management | Media Release

Volcanic eruption threat has passed for now

Hawke’s Bay people are being advised that the volcanic eruption threat has passed for now… but volcanologists say the elevated level of risk remains.

A brief eruption late last night on Mt Tongariro resulted in a sizable fine ash cloud dispersing across Hawke’s Bay, and particularly in the north-west of the region. A layer of ash approximately 1mm in depth came to ground inland from Napier and north-east into the Wairoa area.

The latest assessment from GNS Science is that eruption activity is low level.
It is too early to predict the next series of events, but GNS Science expects heightened activity may continue for several weeks. The volcanic alert level for Tongariro volcano remains at alert level 2.

Hawke’s Bay CDEM Group Controller Ian Macdonald is urging people to ensure they are prepared in case of a further eruption and potential evacuation.

“People should have a getaway kit ready and emergency survival items to cope on their own for three days or more,” says Mr Macdonald.

“In particular volcanic activity can result in lengthy power cuts and people should make sure they have stocked up on torches and batteries and should be prepared to cook without electricity.”

He says anyone planning holidays to the affected area, particularly to the skifields should check the skifield websites and the GeoNet website (www.geonet.org.nz) prior to leaving home.

For the latest advice visit the HB CDEM website – www.hbemergency.govt.nz

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