Story: Volcanoes

Ruapehu eruption, July 1996

During the 1995–96 eruptions of Ruapehu, tephra was produced by the rise and explosive expansion of hot gas through molten andesite lava. This video clip shows gas explosions ripping apart the andesite and ejecting bombs and ash. Ash was spread by the wind over most parts of the central North Island.

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TVNZ Television New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

Richard Smith, David J. Lowe and Ian Wright, 'Volcanoes - Tephra layers – a record of past eruptions', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/8729/ruapehu-eruption-july-1996 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Richard Smith, David J. Lowe and Ian Wright, published 12 Jun 2006