8 August, 2012

Sulphur smell surprising but not concerning

Horizons Regional Council received a number of reports of sulphur smells throughout the Region overnight following the eruption of Mount Tongariro at 11.50pm Monday August 6.

Horizons emergency manager Shane Bayley says “while it is surprising that the sulphur has been smelt so strongly in the lower parts of our region, we don’t consider it to be a cause for concern.

“Clearly it is the result of Monday night’s eruption and has been smelt as far south as Wellington.

“Our air quality monitoring sites in Taumarunui and Taihape are not showing any elevated presence of fine air particles. However, our team will be keeping an eye on the situation and will alert the public if this situation changes,” he says.

GNS Science reported little seismicity overnight and no further eruptions. GNS scientists are continuing to monitor the situation with visual observations currently underway.

ENDS

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