Wellington - New Zealand's Mount Ruapehu erupted without warning on Tuesday night, sending a lahar, or volcanic mudflow, down two sides of the mountain towards the North Island's main state highway and railway line which were both closed by police.

Paul Wheatcroft, a local council official, told Radio New Zealand it was declared to be a minor eruption but there was a report that some people had been injured near the snow-covered peak of the 2 797-metre-high mountain.

He said scientists were monitoring the situation but added, "At this stage it's not a civil defence emergency."

Volcanologist Craig Miller said it was a level two eruption, a stage regarded as minor volcanic activity. - Sapa-dpa

Original Source: News24.com

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