Tongariro erupts

A view of Tongariro this afternoon at 1:30 pm, shortly after the eruption.An eruption occurred at Te Maari Craters, Tongariro at approximately 1:25 pm today (Wednesday, 21 November 2012). GNS Science volcanologists are monitoring the eruption and further information will be released as soon as it is available.

Initial responses and eye witness accounts have featured in the rapid coverage below:

TVNZ News: Mount Tongariro erupts – live updates

New Zealand Herald: Mount Tongariro erupts

TV 3 News: Mt Tongariro erupts

Dominion Post: Mt Tongariro erupts

Radio New Zealand: Mt Tongariro erupts again

 You can watch time lapse photos of the Te Maari Craters on the GNS Science GeoNet site.

On the SMC site you can read expert reaction to an earlier Tongariro eruption in August this year (also see previous commentary on last year’s Chilean volcanic eruption and more commentary here on 2010?s volcanic eruption in Iceland).

GNS has also provided an ashfall map indicating the areas it believe will be most affected by falling ash from the eruption.

Predicted ashfall area for Tongariro.