NZ volcano eruption injures man
A climber was badly injured when a volcano in New Zealand's North Island erupted unexpectedly, sending rocks and ash flying into the air. The eruption at Mt Ruapehu triggered two mud flows, while pilots spotted ash clouds 4km (2.5 miles) above its peak. Around 50 people were evacuated from ski lodges on the mountain, while roads and train lines were briefly closed. The climber was hurt when rocks crashed through the roof of a mountain hut where he and three others were staying. William Pike's legs were crushed by a boulder, trapping him. The 22-year-old teacher was taken to hospital in Waikato, where he was said to be in a serious condition. Two other workers at a ski area suffered minor injuries, a council official said.
Mud flowed down Mt Ruapehu's slopes but no lava was produced
Impact craters
Vulcanologist Brad Scott flew over the site after the short eruption on Tuesday evening. "The top of the mountain is black, covered in crater-lake mud and ash," he told Radio New Zealand. Craters caused by rocks and debris could be seen up to 1.5km (almost one mile) from the summit, he said.
The eruption was caused by the build-up of steam under the crater lake rather than new lava flowing into the volcano, he said. Experts have not ruled out further eruptions and the mountain's ski area remains closed, the Dominion Post reported. At 2,797 metres (9177 feet), Ruapehu is the North Island's highest mountain and one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes. An eruption in 1995 sent boulders the size of cars flying through the air.
Mt Ruapehu is one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes
©BBC | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 11:17 uur, door Joyce.s
Mud flowed down Mt Ruapehu's slopes but no lava was produced
Impact craters
Vulcanologist Brad Scott flew over the site after the short eruption on Tuesday evening. "The top of the mountain is black, covered in crater-lake mud and ash," he told Radio New Zealand. Craters caused by rocks and debris could be seen up to 1.5km (almost one mile) from the summit, he said.
The eruption was caused by the build-up of steam under the crater lake rather than new lava flowing into the volcano, he said. Experts have not ruled out further eruptions and the mountain's ski area remains closed, the Dominion Post reported. At 2,797 metres (9177 feet), Ruapehu is the North Island's highest mountain and one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes. An eruption in 1995 sent boulders the size of cars flying through the air.
Mt Ruapehu is one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes
©BBC | Gewijzigd: 24 april 2017, 11:17 uur, door Joyce.s
Every cloud has a silver lining
Story Highlights
# Mount Ruapehu eruption sends ash and steam nearly three miles into the air
# 22-year-old hiker injured by rock that crashes through mountain shelter
# One mud flow temporarily traps snow groomer at ski area
# Mt. Ruapehu in central North Island has erupted five times since 1969
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- An erupting volcano sent ash and steam nearly three miles into the air Tuesday, while mud and rocks raced down the mountainside and injured at least three people, officials said. The Mount Ruapehu eruption sent mud sweeping through a ski area, prompting officials to evacuate the zone and close nearby roads, local district council spokesman Paul Wheatcroft said.
A 22-year-old hiker was injured by a rock that crashed through a mountain shelter and struck his legs, rescue officials said. "It took quite an effort to get the material off his legs," said rescuer Andy Hoyle. The man was hospitalized in intensive care.
One mud flow temporarily trapped a snow groomer at a ski area, and two other workers there suffered minor injuries, Wheatcroft said.
Airplane pilots reported seeing a cloud of ash and steam nearly three miles above its normally snow-capped peak, left coated with mud and ash. "The top of the mountain is black ... that goes out about a half-mile from the summit," vulcanologist Brad Scott said. About 60 skiers at two ski lodges were evacuated from the mountain before the short, sharp eruption was declared over. Roads and rail tracks near the mountain were closed by police, but later reopened. Mt. Ruapehu in central North Island has erupted five times since 1969, with one in 1995 causing widespread damage when it tossed huge quantities of ash and rocks -- the size of large cars -- from its crater.
©CNN
# Mount Ruapehu eruption sends ash and steam nearly three miles into the air
# 22-year-old hiker injured by rock that crashes through mountain shelter
# One mud flow temporarily traps snow groomer at ski area
# Mt. Ruapehu in central North Island has erupted five times since 1969
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- An erupting volcano sent ash and steam nearly three miles into the air Tuesday, while mud and rocks raced down the mountainside and injured at least three people, officials said. The Mount Ruapehu eruption sent mud sweeping through a ski area, prompting officials to evacuate the zone and close nearby roads, local district council spokesman Paul Wheatcroft said.
A 22-year-old hiker was injured by a rock that crashed through a mountain shelter and struck his legs, rescue officials said. "It took quite an effort to get the material off his legs," said rescuer Andy Hoyle. The man was hospitalized in intensive care.
One mud flow temporarily trapped a snow groomer at a ski area, and two other workers there suffered minor injuries, Wheatcroft said.
Airplane pilots reported seeing a cloud of ash and steam nearly three miles above its normally snow-capped peak, left coated with mud and ash. "The top of the mountain is black ... that goes out about a half-mile from the summit," vulcanologist Brad Scott said. About 60 skiers at two ski lodges were evacuated from the mountain before the short, sharp eruption was declared over. Roads and rail tracks near the mountain were closed by police, but later reopened. Mt. Ruapehu in central North Island has erupted five times since 1969, with one in 1995 causing widespread damage when it tossed huge quantities of ash and rocks -- the size of large cars -- from its crater.
©CNN
Every cloud has a silver lining
