Story: Historic volcanic activity

Avalanche (3rd of 3)

Avalanche

Thirty seconds after the Mt Ngāuruhoe explosion the ash cloud rises and expands. Some of the heavier material begins to drop, causing fluid pyroclastic flows (glowing avalanches of fragmented rock) that travelled two kilometres down the Mangatepopo valley.

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Private collection
Photograph by Graham Hancox

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, Carol Stewart and Graham Leonard, 'Historic volcanic activity - Tongariro and Ngāuruhoe', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6855/avalanche (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, Carol Stewart and Graham Leonard, published 12 Jun 2006