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.