[qzgCVHex]

A potential threat warning was issued for central North Island regions following the eruption at 11.50 pm last night.

Civil Defence said volcanic activity could pose a threat to Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu-Whanganui, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki.

People living in those areas were advised to stay indoors with all the windows and doors closed and listen to the radio for updated emergency information and instructions.

The Desert Road section of State Highway 1, northeast of the mountain, and State High way 46, to the north, had been closed due to the ash.

[Morageort]

a useful follow
geonet

@geonet

The official GeoNet Twitter.
Monitoring geological hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami, and landslides) in NZ.

See also: @geonet_above5 @geonet_above4

Wellington, New Zealand · http://www.geonet.org.nz/

[Patgaepx]

more of the same here

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/eruptions/

actually its quite good, lots of info on volvanoes that are steaming and smoking and rumbling.

[amagmasia]

> the last eruption took place in 1974-1975.

I flew over it shortly afterward, that eruption was not a minor event but a massive blast.

This one seems to be a minor eruption so far, but it could escalate.