Posted on February 16, 2017
By Matthew Martin, NZHerald
A geothermal expert has refuted claims by an Ohinemutu resident that the lack of dredging in the Ruapeka lagoon could be connected to heightened geothermal activity in the area.
Lani Kereopa witnessed another eruption in Lake Rotorua on Sunday morning describing it as a lot wider than the previous three eruptions and that it looked like a “wall of black water.”
The eruption happened between 4am and 4.30am, with the previous three eruptions occurring before Christmas.
She said the previous eruptions had started with a pulsing rumbling under the ground, but she did not hear that this time.
She said the eruption lasted about five to 10 seconds.
The eruptions were happening directly in front of the channel which should run into Ruapeka lagoon, Ms Kereopa said.
The lagoon had been closed off from the lake as a sandbar was developing in front of it.
She said she could not help but feel it was connected as there had been no eruptions before it closed itself off.
Since the lagoon was cut off it was getting hotter and Ms Kereopa said she thought it would be worth opening the channel again, to see if it had anything to do with the eruptions.
Rotorua Lakes Council held a recourse consent to dredge the lagoon from 1998 to 2013, but had not since renewed its consent.
GNS Science volcano information specialist Brad Scott told the Rotorua Daily Post the area around the lagoon had been modified in the last decade or so “with land reclamation, dredging and general earthworks”.
“But the main vent is not in that area and is in the main body of the lake.
“I don’t think there is any connection to that and the eruptions.”
He said scientists would be back at some stage to check the area again.
A Rotorua Lakes Council communications spokeswoman said council staff did not have the scientific knowledge to comment about the lagoon or the cause of the eruptions.
However council sport and recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley said he was unaware of any approach to the council regarding dredging of the lagoon at Ohinemutu but he would be happy to speak with the Ohinemutu community about it.
Source: NZHerald
