Doves,

New Zealand's Mount Tongariro volcano erupts; ash disrupts flights

Mount Tongariro volcano erupted late Monday for the first time in nearly a century, leaving New Zealand’s North Island under a huge ash cloud, national media reported.

The eruptions caught geologists by surprise,

Roads were closed, flights were disrupted and nearby residents were advised to stay indoors as ash and rock spewed from the mountain, the New Zealand Herald reported. Ash was drifting east and fell about 100 miles to the east in Napier, on the coast, the Herald reported. Tongariro is about 200 miles north of Wellington.  

A witness who called police late Monday reported seeing explosions at 11:50 p.m. on the northern face of the nearly 6,500-foot-tall mountain.

The eruption created “a new hole in the side of the mountain,” the witness told police, according to the Herald.

There were no reports of injuries. No evacuations were ordered but authorities advised nearby residents to disconnect water tanks and stay indoors.

The volcanic activity could pose a threat to Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu, Wanganui, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki, 3 News reported.

Truckie Tama Coker said there was a "big flash," then it began "raining sand," 3 News reported. Visibility was down to yards.

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I searched on Google for the meaning of the name Tongariro:

The name Tongariro is derived from the Maori words 'tonga' meaning 'south wind' and 'riro', 'carried away.' 

MAY A SOUTH WIND CARRY US AWAY SOON!

Michael