New Zealand's Mount Tongariro erupts
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Wellington - A New Zealand volcano which had been dormant for 116 years erupted Wednesday for the second time in four months, sending scores of hikers, including parties of school children,scampering to safety.
Unlike the last eruption on August 6, the first since 1896, which rained a deadly mix of car-sized boulders and white-hot lava on to the surrounding countryside, the 1,968-metre Mount Tongariro sent just a plume of ash and steam 3 to 4 kilometres in the air.
"It was a pretty non-threatening eruption," volcanologist Tony Hurst told Radio New Zealand after about 70 hikers and tourists had left the 19.4-kilometre Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a popular trail used by thousands of walkers every year.
"There was no panic," said an eyewitness.
Police said there were no reports of injury or damage.//DPA
