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In 1886, people were taken by surprise when the mountain erupted. But there were signs that something was going to happen. The problem was, no-one knew what the signs meant. Very few people understood that the mountain was alive, and could erupt at any time. These days, we understand the warning signs, and can get away before most eruptions. |
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Many of the local Maori were getting worried - there were loud rumblings and earthquakes, and the water by the terraces was boiling hot. There was also a 60cm high tidal wave on Lake Tarawera a few weeks before - a sign of underground thermal activity. |
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Another very important warning sign was the earthquakes - they were happening more and more often, showing that something was happening deep below the earth. Some people also said they saw a ghostly waka crossing the lake - and this was a sign that something bad was going to happen. |
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