Shortly after midnight on the morning of 10 June 1886, a series of more than 30 increasingly strong earthquakes were felt in the Rotorua area and an unusual sheet lightning display was observed from the direction of Tarawera. At around 2:00 am a larger earthquake was felt and followed by the sound of an explosion. By 2:30 am Mount Tarawera's three peaks had erupted, blasting three distinct columns of smoke and ash thousands of metres into the sky. At around 3.30 am, the largest phase of the eruption commenced; vents at Rotomahana produced a pyroclastic surge that destroyed several villages within a 6 kilometre radius, and the Pink and White Terraces appeared to be obliterated.
The eruption was heard clearly as far away as Blenheim and the effects of the ash in the air were observed as far south as Christchurch, over 800 km south. In Auckland the sound of the eruption and the flashing sky was thought by some to be an attack by Russian warships.
Wikipedia
The eruption was heard clearly as far away as Blenheim and the effects of the ash in the air were observed as far south as Christchurch, over 800 km south. In Auckland the sound of the eruption and the flashing sky was thought by some to be an attack by Russian warships.
Wikipedia
The extreme excitement caused by the eruption of Tarawera may be measured by a little circumstance. Mr Wheeler, the well-known photographer, has made prompt arrangements for sending up to the district to procure a series of views of the country affected by the new volcano. Two photographers, with an immense quantity of plates and apparatus start from Christchurch to-morrow [12 June 1886], and make their way by the quickest route to the Lake District. They have been instructed to take pictures of Wairoa, Tarawera, Rotorua, Rotomahana - if the famous lake is still in existence and to work through to Tauranga, photographing everything that may be of interest in connection with the late catastrophe.
Star, Issue 5642, 11 June 1886, Page 2
Rotorua.
Monday...A photographer from Christchurch, named Mr Sorrell, attempted to reach, Tikatapu to-day. He managed to make the edge of the bush, when his horse stuck hard in the mud, and he had to return. It is impossible to proceed further. The mud has been washed down fully a foot. The springs are gradually getting less active. Professor Hutton arrived on Saturday, and left for Rotomahana to-day.
Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 2005, 29 June 1886, Page 2
Star, Issue 5661, 3 July 1886, Page 1
Messrs Wheeler and Son notify by advertisement that the photographic party despatched by them to the scene of the recent eruptions succeeded, after some terribly hard work, in getting a number of photographs. Messrs Wheeler hope to be able to commence their issue about a week hence.
Star, Issue 5661, 3 July 1886, Page 3
Hinemihi meeting house at Te Wairoa, after the Mt Tarawera eruption -
Photograph by Edmund Wheeler and Son
Edmund Wheeler and Son (Firm). Hinemihi meeting house at Te Wairoa, after the Mt Tarawera eruption - Photograph taken by Edmund Wheeler and Son. Dingwale, Reginald :7 Photographs. Ref: PAColl-2981-2. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://beta.natlib.govt.nz/records/23040885
Experience of a Photographer.
The Desolate Appearance of the Whole District.
The Blue Lake.
The photographic team of W. E. Sorrell (Wheeler & Son) by Lake Rotomahana.
Christchurch City Libraries, File Reference: CCL PhotoCD 3, IMG0028
Tarawera.
The
next trip we made was out to Tarawera. On the first occasion we got as
far as Pareheru, to a piece of bush there. From there we took a number,
of negatives of the volcano, showing Tarawera emitting vast volumes of
steam. At the same time we could hear the loud roaring from what I may
call the blow-holes. I also took another photograph at the mount
Kakaramea. We were then obliged to return, as the hour was getting late.
When crossing Earthquake Flat, we experienced several shakes, which
were accompanied by loud rumbling noises. Here we found, extending right
across the Flat, a large fissure some twelve or eighteen inches wide,
and having a depth we had nothing long enough to test.
The Pink Terraces.
A few days after that, when we had had some fine weather, I went out again, as I thought the roads would now be better, and we could get to Rotomahana, at the back of the late site of the Pink Terraces. We went from Ohinemutu to Pa Kakaraka a distance of twelve miles. Here we had some refreshments—a sort of rough and ready picnic. We then pushed on to Pareheru, whence we sent back our horses. I forgot to say that on this occasion we had to have a horse each - for myself, my guide and the Maori, as well as a pack-horse — four horses altogether. We had to take everything with us in the shape of provender, as also a tent. We pitched our tent at Pareheru and sent the horses back to Ohinemutu. We then had to tramp it. As the crow flies the distances is, I suppose, about two miles and a half, but we must have gone over ten miles, over hills and through deep gullies all covered with a deposit of mud, most of which, however, had by this time a pretty firm crust. It was blowing a hurricane, and several times we had to lie down to prevent our being blown over a ridge. We made our way to the edge at the crater, of which we obtained several excellent views. Here is one showing a boiling fountain of mud. We also obtained photographs of the Terraces as they now appear. This done, we packed up our instruments and started back for our camp. Before reaching it, however we were benighted, and lost the track. We got into a deep gully of mud, and found great difficulty in extricating ourselves. In fact, we began to think we should have to give it up as a bad job, but we had a small dog with us, and it seemed to recover the track. We followed it till it brought us on to the road again, and, after a great effort, we managed to make our way to our tent, which we reached about half-past six o’clock, having taken about five hours and a half going to and returning from the craters. We lay down for the night, but, tired though we were, we had no sleep, owing to the continuous heaving of the earth, accompanied by thunderlike rumbling and lighting all night long. Occasionally the roarings were terrific. My guide, who was thoroughly acquainted with the neighbourhood, said next morning that he was convinced there must have been another eruption. On reaching Pa Kakaraka we saw some Maoris on their way to Rotomahana from Kaiteriria, and they told us that there had been another explosion at Ti Teko. We reached our horse about half-past one o’clock, and started off back for Ohinemutu. On the way I was once more thrown from my horse, the wretched condition of the road making the animals frequently stumble, but we arrived at our destination about 5 o’clock.Ohinemutu.
Dr Hector
Depth of the Mud.
The Natives.
Wairoa.
Star, Issue 5672, 16 July 1886, Page 3
The plucky venture of the Messrs Wheeler, of Cathedral square, in sending a well-trained landscape photographer to the Tarawera district immediately after the eruptions has been previously referred to in these columns. On the return of the little expedition, the clothes worn during the mud- plodding were temporarily resumed, and a select few were thus enabled to form some faint idea of what the "roughing it" had been. But though the difficulties encountered were very great, involving camping for one or two nights on most treacherous ground, the party evidently worked with enthusiasm, and in the resulting pictures they must feel abundantly compensated. Thanks to their enterprise, Messrs Wheeler have secured a most valuable series of photographs, showing all the leading features of the volcanic phenomena, and including the very sites formerly occupied by the Pink and White Terraces. It has thus become possible to prepare a series of what are appropriately termed contrasts," two pictures in each case showing a particular spot, as it was before the outburst and as it it now. That the operator haa a good eye for a picture, everybody who sees these photographs will readily admit and as the subsequent technical work has been exceedingly well done, it is no matter for wonderment that a large demand should already have been experienced.
Star, Issue 5686, 2 August 1886, Page 3
In addition to the relics of the Rotomahana eruptions in the North Island, which have formed such an attractive feature under the microscope, as manipulated by Mr J. B. Stansell at the Industrial conversazione last week, Mr Wheeler, of Cathedral square, has kindly furnished some photographic views of the principal scenes and events of that mighty convulsion of nature. Thus, with specimens of the White and Pink Terraces and volcanic mud, the scenes will be prominently brought before the visitors who may attend the Tuam street Hall to-night.
Star, Issue 5692, 9 August 1886, Page 3
Press, Volume XLIII, Issue 6517, 12 August 1886, Page 4
also see: New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1 December 1900, Page 160
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