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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 67

Results of the Eruption.* — Openings formed in the Earth

Results of the Eruption.*

Openings formed in the Earth.

A comparison of photographs of Mount Tarawera, taken from Wairoa and from near Te Ariki before and after the eruption shows that very little change has taken place in the shape of the mountain. Wahanga, Tarawera (proper), and the saddle between Wahanga and Ruawahia appear almost unaltered, but the ridge between Ruawahia and Tarawera has undergone changes in out-line, although no true cone has been formed.

On the eastern side of the mountain, near the top, a long fissure extends from Wahanga to the southern slope of Tarawera (Plates I. and II.). This is seen very plainly from the Kaingaroa Plains, near Galatea (Plate II.). From Paeroa, which is on the direct line from Mount Tarawera through Kakaramea, this easterly fissure can also be seen, as well as a crater on the top of Tarawera, which is probably connected with the fissure. Plate I. represents this as seen through a telescope; the pointed hill on

* Detailed accounts of the results of the eruption will be given by Professor F. D. Brown and Professor A. P. Thomas in separate reports. The outline here presented is only intended to explain the conclusions arrived at as to the cause of the eruptions.

In this plate the fissure is represented too far down the mountain; it ought to be close under the top from Tarawera to Ruawahia. The line of steam running down from Ruawahia towards the north may perhaps come from a lava-stream.

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Plate V.

Plate V.

The Okaro Craters from Pareheru, 27TH June 1886.

From a Photograph by Wheeler & Son, Christchurch.

page 13 the right foreground being the summit of Kakaramea, which is just about half-way between Tarawera and Paeroa.

Half-way up the south-west side of Tarawera there is another fissure, which runs up to Ruawahia, and probably joins the easterly fissure. This westerly fissure was noticed soon after the eruption, and is the one mentioned by Mr. Percy Smith and Dr. Hector (D) in their reports to the Government. The easterly fissure is that marked A—C on Dr. Hector's diagram. These two fissures may, for convenience, be called the craters on the mountain.

On the plains, near the foot of the mountain, Rotomahana has been much enlarged, including now Rotomakariri to the north-east and beyond the Pink Terraces to Oruakorako on the south-west. The bottom does not appear to be deeper than it was before, but it is filled with mud in which are several crater-Rings, either steaming or full of water. Plate III. is taken from Oruakorako, looking east. Between Rotomahana and the foot of Mount Tarawera a new lake, with precipitous walls, has been formed; it is about a mile long and of irregular outline.

South-west of Rotomahana, in the valley of the Haumi, there is a row of six or eight crateriform hollows, known as the Okaro craters (Plates IV. and V.). The third of these craters from the south, or the Black Crater, lies at the foot of a low hill;* which circumstance has led to the opinion that the hill itself has been formed by ejections from the crater, and it was called Mount Haszard. The hill, however, is part of the old surface, and was in existence long before the eruption. These openings from Okaro to the foot of Mount Tarawera may be called the craters on the plains.

Our knowledge of the size and positions of all these openings at present very imperfect, and must remain so until an accurate topographical survey of them has been made.

* In Plate V. the second column of steam from the right is coming from the Black Crater.