The immediate threat of eruption at Mt Tongariro has passed but
there remains a chance of another sudden eruption within the
next two weeks, GNS Science says. Twenty-four hours after the
eruption from the mountain's Te Maari crater, GNS Science has
cancelled its national advisory. However, it says there remains
a ``significant probability of a sudden eruption within the next
week''. Should a further eruption occur, a new national advisory
or warning would be issued, GNS Science said. Signs of volcanic
activity settled overnight but experts continue to monitor the
mountain for changes. Thick grey smoke, gas and ash spewed 4km
into the sky from Te Maari vent on the western side of the
mountain during the unexpected eruption just before 1.30pm
yesterday. It is the same place where Tongariro erupted in
August, for the first time in more than a century. Yesterday's
activity prompted an aviation red alert, which has since been
dropped to orange. Ash in the sky above the mountain also
dissipated overnight. Experts p