Latest from Volcanoes

Lahar streams from Tongariro

Heavy rain has caused a lahar - a stream of ash and mud - from Tongariro's northern slopes to close a section of Highway 46 near Lake Rotoaira, but a GNS volcanologist says this is completely in keeping with the after-effects of eruptions.

Philip Duncan: Curiosity may fulfil our wildest imaginings

50/50 chance Tongariro will blow again

Scientists say there is still a 50/50 chance that Mount Tongariro could erupt - and it could be at any time.

Sleeping giants rumble noisily awake

Scientists inch close to rumbling Tongariro

Scientists, wary of another eruption, have managed to move as close to Mr Tongariro as is safely possible since Monday night's unexpected blast.

Jim Hopkins: Trifling with tribunal our undoing

White Island sprinkles Papamoa

Volcano may go at any time

Hot water and shakes fuel eruption

Judy Bailey barely misses volcano

Former TVNZ newsreader Judy Bailey says good timing probably saved her from near disaster.

Authorities defend volcano response

Locals have criticised the response to last night's Tongariro eruption as too slow but authorities have defended their procedures, saying they quickly established there was no immediate risk and put plans in place.

Volcano ash may have toxic traces

Rotoaira local David Bennett was concerned by the lack of communication between the authorities and National Park residents when Mt Tongariro erupted about 4km from his home last night.

Locals react to Mt Tongariro eruption

Locals in the Central North Island area share their experiences and stories as Mt Tongariro erupted late last night.

Tongariro eruption: All you need to know

Tongariro volcanic alert maintained

The aviation colour code around Mt Tongariro has been downgraded from red to orange, but the volcanic alert level remains at 2.

Tongariro: Dormant for 115 years - until now

Mt Tongariro is one of three major volcanos in the central North Island, sitting alongside mounts Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.