New Zealand volcano erupts, aviation warning raised
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E-mail Xinhua, November 21, 2012
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Photo taken on Nov. 21, 2012 shows steam rises from Mount Tongariro in New Zealand. [Chinanews.com] |
New Zealand's central North Island volcano of Tongariro erupted Wednesday at 1:25 p.m. local time, spewing a plume of ash and steam high into the air.
The government's Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences ( GNS Science) announced the volcanic alert level had been raised from level one, which indicated signs of volcano unrest, to level two, which indicated minor eruptive activity.
The aviation color code was set at red, warning aircraft that an eruption was underway with significant emissions of ash into the atmosphere.
A statement from GNS Science said that volcanologists were monitoring the eruption and further information would be released as it became available.
The Ministry of Civil Defence issued a statement saying the eruption had lasted about five minutes, and steam continued to come from the volcano after that time but no further ash.
"There appears to be no significant threat to property or people away from the summit," said the statement.
However, it warned the immediate vicinity of the Te Maari craters, where the eruption occurred, could be hazardous.
It warned that light volcanic ash fall could be anticipated downwind of Tongariro and affect the regions of Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty.
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