lahar

lahar
Originally uploaded by enetheru_2006.

5:55PM Sunday March 18, 2007

The torrent of water and mud which burst out of the hot crater lake atop Mt Ruapehu on the North Island's volcanic plateau today could have been far worse, say authorities.

A seven-metre high soft rock and ash dam that had penned the lake since the mountain erupted violently in 1995 finally gave way late this morning.

The escaping water gouged out rocks and earth and other debris carrying them down the mountain in the classic mudflow know as a lahar.

Courtesy of NZ HERALD

Above IMAGE provided from Webcam and supplied to NZ Herald