New Zealand: Volcanoes suddenly erupt

The lodge for skiers hurriedly evacuated, the highway stopped, a man was seriously injured when the volcano suddenly erupted in New Zealand, spraying ash and rock into the air.

Ruapehu Mountain, an area between Wellington and Auckland in North New Zealand Island, began erupting at 8:23 pm (local time) and lasted for about seven minutes, volcanic researcher Craig Miller said.

No further activity has been announced after volcanic eruptions are small to moderate, and it is unclear whether the eruption continues. "There probably won't be any stronger activity in this area," Miller said.

A 22-year-old climber, William Pike, was seriously injured when the rock collapsed onto the roof next to the mountain where he was, crushing Pike's leg. He was taken to an emergency by a helicopter.

About 60 skiers in mountain lodges have been evacuated during rushing hours last night, many people do not know about volcanic eruptions."We don't know anything, we don't feel shaken, we don't hear anything, it's totally blind," said Penny Brooking, who was present in a motel.

The ash is seen on Ruapehu mountain, 230 km north of Wellington, on September 26, the day after the eruption.(Photo: TTO)

The eruption caused the roads and railway services in the area to cease operation. Mountain motels are closed today. The two lahar streams (mud stream consisting of the material formed by the volcanic layer and water) from the spillway of Ruapehu mountain have spilled down the ridge during the eruption but there has been no sign of significant damage.

According to volcanic researcher Brad Scott, no lava was born from the eruption.

Ruapehu Mountain, the highest mountain in the North Island (2,797 meters) is the most active volcano in New Zealand in the past few years, with average eruptions in 1975, 1995 and 1996 and a spurt small movement in October last year.

On December 24, 1953, a lahar stream poured down a railway bridge that killed 151 people when the passenger ship rushed down the River near the mountain.

Ruapehu volcano suddenly erupted on Tuesday night (Photo: VNN)

United Mail