New Zealand’s Mt. Tongariro Erupts For First Time In Over 100 Years

Mt. Tongariro which is part of a chain of volcanoes that makes up Tongariro National Park in New Zealand has recently erupted and spewed large amounts of ash across the North Island area of the country:

You can see more images of the eruption at this link.

Mt. Tongariro is extremely sacred to New Zealand’s native Maori people due to a legend that links the volcano to the ancient Maori gods:

Legend links Ngatoroirangi with the creation of volcanoes and the naming of Tongariro. According to one version, the priest traveled inland to explore the island and claim land for his people. As he climbed to the summit of Tongariro, a strong south wind brought extremely cold weather. Nearly chilled to death and exhausted by the climb, Ngatoroirangi called out for help from his sisters in the far-away Maori homeland, Hawaiki.

They came to him in the form of fire under the earth, leaving a trail of geysers and volcanoes in their path and emerging at Tongariro to warm the priest. Thus, the volcanic landscape represents a genealogic link with the historic homeland of Hawaiki, and the mountains are revered as tribal ancestors. The name Tongariro—“tonga” (south wind) and “riro” (seized)—commemorates the cold wind that almost killed Ngatoroirangi.

In order to protect the holy status of these lands the Maori people donated Tongariro to the New Zealand government in 1894 to be protected as a national park which is what it remains today and has even gone on to be designated in 1993 as a United Nations World Heritage Area.

Fortunately I have not seen any reports of any fatalities from this eruption.  Long time On-Walkabout readers may have read my prior posting about hiking the Tongariro Crossing trail in New Zealand.  This hike I still rank as the most incredible day hike I have ever completed.   Likewise my tour around the North Island of New Zealand is one of the top destinations I have ever visited.  Unless this eruption gets much worse it should only have a mild affect on anyone visiting the island.

Due to this eruption the Tongariro Crossing has been closed and scientists can only guess on how long this eruption will last.  From pictures of the eruption I easily see that it is happening Ketetahi section of the trail shown below:

The Ketetahi area is on the north side of the volcano and is on the last down hill section of the Tongariro Crossing.  This area of the volcano features a number of large boiling hot springs and as well as a hut for hikers that I wonder is still standing or not?:

Here is a closer look at the hots springs:

Below is a view of the Ketetahi section of the volcano as viewed from the road going by Mt. Tongariro.  If you look closely you can see the boiling hot springs on the side of the volcano which is where the eruption happened recently:

I hope this eruption doesn’t get any worse and no one gets injured from it, but it always interesting to see nature at work like it currently is at Mt. Tongariro in beautiful New Zealand.

For those interested here is a complete listing of my time exploring Tongariro National Park:

• Hiking the Tongariro Crossing
• On the Slopes of Mt. Doom
• In the Heart of the Tongariro Crossing
• The Final Descent of the Tongariro Crossing
• Driving the Volcanic Highway