New Zealand dormant volcano erupts after a century

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19159502

New Zealand dormant volcano erupts after a century

A New Zealand volcano dormant for more than a century has erupted, sending up ash clouds, disrupting flights and closing roads.

Mount Tongariro, one of three volcanoes in the centre of the North Island, became active just before midnight local time, with reports of loud explosions, spewing rocks and steam.

The 1,978m (6,490 ft) peak is in a national park popular with hikers.

No casualties or damage have been reported after the eruption...

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: New Zealand dormant volcano erupts after a century

Tongariro volcano quiet, White Island steams

Published: 10:10AM Saturday August 11, 2012

Volcanic activity at Mount Tongariro has remained weak overnight but White Island is still emitting a plume of steam, gas and ash.

GNS Duty Volcanologist Michael Rosenberg says the activity from Tongariro Volcano remained weak overnight, following its eruption last Monday night.

Earthquakes have been recorded by GeoNet seismometers around the mountain, but seismicity in the local Tongariro area has remained low.
...
A navy ship sailing towards the Kermadec Islands, meanwhile, has encountered a 25,000 square kilometre area of pumice pieces.

The area of floating pumice was estimated to be 250 nautical miles in length and 30 nautical miles wide.
...
The area of floating pumice is about 85 nautical miles West South-West of Raoul Island.
...
The Commanding Officer, Commander Sean Stewart changed course to intercept the pumice, and brought the ship to a halt to enable retrieval of samples.

The samples will be analysed to determine which volcano they came from.

Full text:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/tongariro-volcano-quiet-white-island-steams-5017762