NEWS update

This was just in the news today (26 September 2007):


No cause for alarm following eruption

Eruption on Mt Ruapehu injures a man; scientists described as one-off moderate-sized event
26 September 2007 A vulcanologist believes last night's eruption on Mt Ruapehu was a one-off moderate-sized event and there is no cause for alarm.The eruption occurred at 8.23pm, sending ash and rock 500 metres into the air and producing lahars on the northern and eastern sides of the mountain.A climber who was in the Dome Shelter above the crater lake was seriously injured and is now in hospital. The Department of Conservation says water and boulders burst through the door and roof of the shelter, pinning the injured man's leg to the floor. His friend James Christie went for help, following the path of one of the lahars down the Whakapapa ski field, and making contact with the driver of a snow grooming machine. The man already knew about the eruption, after seeing a wall of mud and debris a metre high sweep past him. A rescue party made it to the shelter just before 11pm and the injured climber was brought down the mountain early this morning.The eruption prompted an evacuation of the Iwikau Village, which is situated on the mountain, but people were able to return soon after. It destroyed volcano monitoring instruments located 500 metres from the crater. Ski field equipment at Whakapapa is likely to have been damaged.GNS vulcanologist Craig Miller says nearby planes reported seeing a huge ash cloud, but it was probably not as spectacular as previous eruptions. It was smaller than the 1995/96 eruptions, but bigger than the one in October last year. He says the eruption was probably similar to the 1969 and 1965 events. Mr Miller says there is nothing to suggest more eruptions are on the way.The eruption was accompanied by a 2.9 magnitude earthquake.Scientists will be speaking to the ski field operator at Whakapapa today to discuss safety issues.

(story at http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.aspx?id=77156&fm=psp,tst), but since it may be taken off soon, I copied/pasted it above.