Kōrero: Geomorphology – a history

Charles Cotton on film

In this film clip, New Zealand geologist Charles Cotton describes the effects of the 1945 eruption of Mt Ruapehu. At the time it seemed there would be little danger to the public because Ruapehu's crater was so isolated.

Once volcanic activity subsided the crater lake gradually refilled over the next eight years. On 24 December 1953 a lahar (volcanic mud flow) swept away the rail bridge at Tangiwai, leading to the deaths of 151 people. Cotton did not foresee such an event – but neither did anyone else at the time.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference: Weekly Review 191. National Film Unit, 1945

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Rebecca Priestley, 'Geomorphology – a history - Key theories: 1880s–1940s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/video/13115/charles-cotton-on-film (accessed 29 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Rebecca Priestley, i tāngia i te 24 Sep 2007