Archive for January, 2007

Island Watch: Earthquake Activity Near Tonga

Sunday, January 7th, 2007

Earthquake activity near Tonga has increased following a quiet period during December.

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November 2006 Cooler, Wetter, Windier

Friday, January 5th, 2007

Tawa’s climate during November 2006 was cooler, wetter and windier than the previous three years.

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Ruapehu Causes Jitters

Thursday, January 4th, 2007

The growing threat of a lahar from Mt. Ruapehu’s crater lake has caused minor disruption to travellers on the Desert Road section of State Highway 1 today.

Two days ago, the Department of Conservation announced that the tephra dam, which is preventing the contents of the crater lake from cascading down the mountainside, had started leaking. This afternoon, the lahar warning system was triggered by scientific maintenance work on the volcano, and emergency services swung into action, temporarily closing State Highway 1 to traffic.

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Hidden Gems

Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007

With guests in town for the New Year holiday, plans to ride the harbour ferry, lurk about on Somes Island and tootle about the harbour parks had to be shelved when a cold southerly arrived in Wellington on the afternoon of the 30th.

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