NZ volcano eruption strands travelers
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E-mail Xinhua, August 7, 2012
Hundreds of travelers have been left stranded after the eruption of Mt Tongariro caused road closures and flight cancellations in New Zealand's North Island.
The volcano erupted about 11:50 p.m. local time Monday - its first eruption for more than a century, spewing ash from the Te Maari craters on the northern side of the mountain and prompting a threat warning for the central North Island.
Several Air New Zealand flights to airports east of Mt Tongariro, including Gisborne, Rotorua, Taupo and Napier, along with Palmerston North, were delayed or canceled following the eruption, affecting flights to and from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Air New Zealand general manager of airline operations and safety David Morgan said on Tuesday the airline is working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), MetService and other authorities to make adjustments to its flight routes and altitudes to ensure its aircraft remain clear of ash and keep travelers flying safely.
The Desert Road (State Highway 1) and SH46 west of Rangipo have reopened after being closed early on Tuesday, while ash has also been reported on SH5 near Te Haroto.
Moteliers in nearby Waiouru, Turangi and Tokaanu told NZ Newswire they had not been affected by ash, but there was a sulphur-like smell in the air and dark clouds near Mt Tongariro.
Police were alerted to the eruption shortly before midnight by a member of the public who reported seeing "flame-like explosions" and a cloud of ash coming from "a new hole in the side of the mountain".
There have been no reports of injuries or damage.
Civil Defense said the eruption could pose a threat to Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu, Wanganui, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki.
Michael Rosenberg, a volcanologist from New Zealand government geological agency, GNS Science, told Radio New Zealand the situation at the mountain was not yet clear.
"For the moment, things are quiet [but that] doesn't necessarily mean that the eruption is over and done with - it could reactivate at any time so we're watching pretty closely," he said.
"It's possible that this could be the start of a much longer episode, or alternatively it could be the end. We just don't know, " he added.
Civil Defense said some locals had left the area, but authorities have not ordered an evacuation.
GNS Science is monitoring the seismic activity on the mountain, which has been experiencing volcanic earthquakes since July 13.
Mt Tongariro last erupted from November 1896 until October 1897.
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