Other infomation

• When the eruption of Mt Tarawera had died down and the rescue party started the clean up, the residents of the villages couldn't  return to their homes because the government claimed the land.

• The eruption was heard clearly as far away as Blenheim and the effects of the ash in the air were observed as far south as Christchurch. In Auckland the sound of the eruption and the flashing sky was thought by some to be an attack by Russian warships

• On 1 June 1886, a party of tourists claimed to have seen a Māori war canoe appear out of the mists on Lake Tarawera. It was being paddled by Māori in traditional dress, and disappeared when only half a mile from the tourist boat. 

How can we be prepared for another disaster like this

Before a volcanic eruption

- if you live in a active volcano zone learn about your community's warning systems and emergency plans and what you need to do.

During a volcanic eruption 

- stay indoors, along with your pets
- save water at an early stage as supplies may become contaminated
- keep gutters and roof clear of ash to prevent roof collapse
- DO NOT go sightseeing
- if you must go outside, use protective clothing. cover your head, breathe through a mask or cloth and carry a torch

Emergency survival items

• Torch and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Manual (nonelectric) can opener
• Essential medicines (including paracetamol for fever)
• Sturdy shoes
• Respiratory (breathing) protection
• Eye protection (goggles)
• Battery-powered radio
• BBQ or other means of cooking
• Toilet paper, plastic bags and bucket 

Remember to include 

• Important documents 
• Extra footwear and clothing 

Before you leave

•  Consider your pets 
• Turn of water and electricity at mains if there is time

How did this natural disaster happen?

In the early hours of 10th June 1886, after a series of constant quakes since midnight, a violent eruption occurred near the township of Rotorua. The top of nearby Mount Wahanga was completely blown off, producing a dense black cloud extending from Taheke to Paeroa, and which became a mass of thunder and lightening to continue incessantly the night long. Shortly after, nearby Mount Tarawera and its twin cone Ruawahia exploded into action, belching fire. The process of a volcanic eruption is when the pressure on a magma chamber deep below the Earth’s surface begins to build up. This building pressure causes the magma from the chamber to be forced upward through a series of tubes or conduits. As the magma reaches the surface, it is thrust through the vents on the volcano, resulting in an eruption.

what happened to get life back to normal?

After the eruption of Mt Tarawera, to get life back to normal the residents of Rotorua started the clean up of miles and miles of rubble from the villages that were destroyed, or buried under the mud. They also started the recovery of the 153 victims that were killed in the eruption . Now Mt Tarawera is a famous tourist attraction along with Lake Tarawera which was made when Mt Tarawera erupted.

What affect did it have on the land ?

The eruption effected the people of New Zealand enormously because not only did it cost hundreds of people their homes and lives, it destroyed the eighth wonder of the world and New Zealand's most famous tourist attraction. But in the end the eruption caused the formation of Lake Rotorua and some people think that it was too expensive any way.

Who was effected ?

Some of the people who were affected by the violent eruption of Mt Tarawera were the Maori tribes who lost their homes and family. The residents of Rotorua, and the whole of New Zealand, who had once had the eighth wonder of the natural world right on their very own doorstep.

What happen ?

On the 10th June 1986, in the early hours of the morning a series over 30 strong earthquakes were felt the Rotorua area. At around 2:00 am a larger earthquake was felt and followed by the sound of an explosion, this was the start of the worst New Zealand disaster in history. About half and hour later Mount Tarawera's three peaks had erupted blasting three columns of smoke and ash thousands of meters up into the air covering villages and the famed pink and white terraces.

Survivor story

I woke to the shaking of the ground. My family was already awake and staring out the window, I looked at the clock 2:56am. I got out of bed and ran over to a separate window, I lost my breath for a moment as I watched the peak of Mt Tarawera explode into a million hot fireballs. All I could hear was the beating of my own heart and the screams from other witnesses and the cries of young kids. It took me a while to realize what was happening, then it finally sunk in. We were in the middle of the most historic volcanic eruption in New Zealand's history.

We all assembled down stairs and started to try figure out a plan of what we were going to do. We thought about all the places that would be safe for us to go, but as we watched the eruption getting bigger and stronger we knew that we had no choice but to get out of there as soon as possible.

We decided we would have to move and find shelter elsewhere, even if it took us all night and all day, we just wanted to leave. As soon as we got outside we saw all the village people running for cover and trying to find their loved ones, we couldn't stay to long though, at about 3:26am the eruption was still going full blast, we had traveled about 1km before we stopped for a rest, even though we were that far away we still had smoke and ash following us like a shadow.

It took us about 2 hours to finally get out of the smoky fowl air, we had lost some fellow members along the way from the ash and the fumes, so everyone was mourning as well as freaking out. We sat and watched the eruption for what felt like forever but was just a few hours. We stayed there for a little while once the eruption had finished but started back the next day. Some people refused to go back so they stayed there, but most of us didn't care if we didn't make it back alive, we just wanted to see if our families were alive, to us that was the only thing that mattered.

About the pink and white terraces

The Pink and white terraces were the eighth natural wonder of the world for New Zealand this was huge but you didn't get to see the terraces for free the Maori charged people ten pound ($19.50) each to see them. You could only look at the white terrace and stand on a rock hoping that the mist will clear so you can get a glimpse, but what people look forward to the most is the pink terrace because you get to bath in the hot spring. People describe the pink terraces as soft to the touch and a smooth feel to it.They were roughly fifteen minutes apart via canoe ride.

When it happened

Eruption started about 2:00am on the 10th June 1886, but there were signs of volcanic activity a couple of days before