Mt Ruapehu, one of the volcanoes in the middle of the North Island erupted with no warning last night. Two climbers were taken to hospital, ski lodges and the ski field have closed. The railroad and roads have also closed. It’s bad timing since school holidays started this week.
The volcano has been fairly quiet over recent years, apart from the big lahar that came down a few months ago when the ice wall of the crater lake broke, releasing all the water. That one was forecast but the scientific instruments were strangely quiet during this eruption. This eruption produced small lahars. I’m fascinated by volcanoes and one day will find a way to use a volcano setting. Yes, I will. 
I’ve been editing this week and yesterday I typed in all the amendments I’d made on my manuscript. Actually yesterday was momentous since I also decided that maybe I would enter the Brava contest. I have a story idea but haven’t written a word yet. Yes, I’m cutting it fine but nothing like a deadline to get me moving. Guess what I’ll be doing today.
Actually I love Volcanoes too. They are so interesting. I watch Dantes Peak over and over and over again. Love it.
by Amy Ruttan September 25th, 2007 at 12:34 pmUm, am I the only one who thinks volcanoes are scary? Except in Joe vs. the Volcano. That was funny.
by Lillian Feisty September 25th, 2007 at 12:38 pmYes, they are scary and powerful but that’s what makes them so fascinating.
by Shelley Munro September 25th, 2007 at 12:48 pmThe entire city of Auckland is built on a field of dormant volcanoes. Hopefully none of them will decide to come back to life!
Volcanoes are cool.
As are other phenomenons like big storms on the sea, though I admit I won’t want to live on a volcano slope or in a tornado area.
by Gabriele September 25th, 2007 at 1:07 pmVolcanoes are very cool, but scare me at the same time. Usually there is lots of warning before something happens. I’m surprised there wasn’t this time.
And woot on the Brava contest! I entered, but I’m not happy with my entry. Not that I think it will get picked, but I want it ready just in case.
by Christine d'Abo September 26th, 2007 at 5:28 amOMG, Volcanoes . . . one forgets the sleeping giants except when they wake . . . shudder.
Good luck on the Brava entry, Shelley! You can do it!!
by Red September 26th, 2007 at 5:58 amGood luck with the Brava entry, Shelley.
I’ll admit that I wouldn’t want to live close to a volcano. All that power just waiting to explode.
by N.J. Walters September 26th, 2007 at 3:43 pmI didn’t know that about Auckland **shivers**
by Christina Phillips September 26th, 2007 at 9:19 pmThanks for all the good wishes with my Brava entry. Last time I heard there were around 200 entries - a lot of stiff competition, but I figure I’ll come out with a novella to submit to pubs. That’s good!
Ah, Christina - you didn’t realize you were in the middle of dormant volcanoes when you came over for the conference. Now you know! Rangitoto is the youngest of all Auckland’s volcanoes but they reckon one day there could be more. Maybe in another few hundred years…
by Shelley Munro September 27th, 2007 at 2:11 amIt’s true, Shelley, I didn’t. The thing that really struck me as I left the airport for the hotel was how hilly Auckland is! I couldn’t get over it (and I’m not at all sure why, except my brain is very strange and amused by the oddest things!)
by Christina Phillips September 28th, 2007 at 6:39 pm