Tag Archives: pyroclastic flow

Hiking with my grandson

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Version 1:
“What’s that Pa?”
Point it out, the “What’s that”.
Ah yes, I see what you’re at.
That is that, and this is that.
It’s all to do with…
geological this and thats.
An erupting this over here, and
A gurgling that over there.
“Thanks Pa”.

Version 2:
So mate there’s another of those
recent lava flows.
Vesicular scoria atop aa!
Yep, that’s it mate.
You can tell this one’s older than that one,
because
it has more vegetation (you figured that out,
good one mate), and
the younger flow crept up over the older one.
That’s called Superposition  – will you
remember that for next time mate?
Very important geological principle.
“Yes Pa” (looks in the opposite direction )

And this mate, a bit scary –
Some volcanic rabble rouser tossed this down the flank.
Clouds of gas and lava bits n pieces, churning,
smothering.
No getting away from that one mate – that pyroclastic flow.
Might pay to remember that as well, eh!

Back home:
Nonnie asks “how was that?”
“Really cool. I learned about…
vehicular lava,
some arcane rule about the preferred position,
and when volcanoes are in a bad mood, lots of gas “.

Nice re-cap mate!

Tongaririo Crossing, in Tongariro National Park, is one of New Zealand’s most popular hikes – a good 7 hours to do the complete trail, complete with elevation gain, fumaroles, craters, cold wind. and the ever-present risk of an eruption.  Seriously worth the effort.

The Park is a World Heritage Site.

 

It is centered around the three active volcanoes, Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngaruahoe.

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Class 5; In The Shadow Of The Volcano

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Pucon, Chile

 

Villarrica at dusk, near Pucon, Chile

Kayaking on a volcano

Pucon is a tourist destination, nestled between rugged hills and Largo (Lake) Villarrica in central Patagonia, Chile.  One of its attractions is rivers with a bit of everything for kayakers and rafters, from Class V to Class II rapids and waterfalls, through bush and steep gorges.  Idyllic?  Normally yes, except that the most active volcano in Chile is right on your doorstep – in fact at times it’s in your living room.  Continue reading

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Class 5; Geology for Kayakers. Huka Falls

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Huka Falls, New Zealand

Kayaking huka falls

 

Huka Falls, tourist attraction and Class V+ drop, is either a kayaker’s nightmare or their delight.  The falls themselves are not technically difficult but with an average 160 cumecs tumbling through a 15m gap, they are a bit daunting.  Huka Falls is the first major cataract on Waikato River, about 8 km downstream of its headwaters (Lake Taupo ).  Flow is controlled by flood gates near Taupo township. Most kayaking is done in flows of 50-150 cumecs,, but anything over 130 cumecs is a bit gnarly.   The tourist viewing platform and bridge are close to the top of the falls. So any kayaker venturing through nearly always has an audience.

 

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Class 5; Geology for Kayakers, Kaituna River

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Kaituna River, New Zealand

Kaituna River map, draining Lake Rotoiti, NZKaituna River is a glorious water-course that has a bit of everything for kayakers and rafters, from beginner Class 1 and 2 rapids to serious class 5 waterfalls.  It is probably one of the more popular kayaking and rafting rivers in North Island, New Zealand, in part because it is so easy to get to, and close to the Rotorua centre of tourism.

The Kaituna is an outflow of Lake Rotoiti, its headwaters next to the Highway at Okere Falls (just down the Road from Okere Falls Café); it exits at the coast in Bay of Plenty.

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