Mt Ruapehu Erupts

Oh no, not again!

Reports tonight of a relatively small eruption but possible lahar through Whakapapa ski field.

Let’s hope it hasn’t damaged any lifts or closed any runs and that the eruption is an isolated one.

UPDATE 26/9/07 11:19

Unfortunately one person has been seriously hurt.  Apparently he was staying in the Dome Shelter near the crater and had his legs crushed by a falling bolder thrown from the crater. He is currently in Waikato hospital in a serious condition.

Whilst some clubs did evacuate ours did not. Those that did either went to the car park or down to the Chateau and came back.  The lodge was not damaged.

At this stage bookings for lodge accommodation are being taken as usual.

Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields are both closed as a precaution.  However, all roads are now open again.

Chris Smith has sent in this link showing webcam pictures of the mountain with a dark ash stain clearly visible at the top. http://www.geonet.org.nz/volcano/volcams/ruapehu/index.html

UPDATE 26/9/07 12:45 pm

From Vincent Papesch at Iwikau”

I believe the mountain will reopen tomorrow.

I tramped up to the Waterfall T-bar this morning and the ash appears to have stopped at the top of the Knoll. The far West T may have copped it though. It was very windy and cold but clear blue skies.

Oh – the skiing/boarding up until now has been great.

Posted by Rob Yallop on 26 September 2007 at 04:02 PM