100% Pure New Zealand. Its unparalleled scenic beauty and unique outdoor activities make it one of the most desirable places to live. In fact, Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, tops that world ranking. But Auckland has an ominous secret: it sits on over 50 volcanoes. New Zealand still has ten active volcanoes scattered across its north island. You see, New Zealand sits on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, a 40,000km horseshoe-shaped belt of active volcanoes on the very rim of the Pacific Ocean. 75% of the world’s volcanos are in this ring of fire. All these Volcanos and thermal activity intrigue and fascinate us. Join Gary Kent on an incredible journey as we look at some of the most devastating volcanic eruptions to hit New Zealand in recent times, the warning signs that were disregarded and the bravery and heroism of those who rushed to help, even at the risk of their own lives.
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WHITE ISLAND – Surviving a Volcanic Eruption
INTRODUCTION
100% Pure New Zealand. It’s unparalleled scenic beauty and amazing outdoor activities makes it one of the most desirable places to live on earth. In fact, Auckland, the largest city in NZ tops that ranking. But Auckland has an ominous secret. Can you believe it sits on over 50 volcanoes?
New Zealand still has 10 active volcanoes scattered across its north island. You see New Zealand sits on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ which is a 40,000kms horseshoe shaped belt of active volcanoes on the very rim of the Pacific Ocean. 75% of the world’s volcanos are in this ring of fire.
All these volcanoes and thermal activity intrigue and fascinate us. So, join me on an incredible journey as we look at some of the most devastating volcanic eruptions to hit New Zealand in recent times, of the warning signs that were disregarded and of the bravery and heroism of those who rushed to help, even at the risk of their own lives.
ROTORUA
This is the steamy heart of the charming town of Rotorua, about 3 hours’ drive south of Auckland, and if you were born here in this city, you could boast that you were born in a volcano!
You see, the city of Rotorua is actually built inside the crater of a dormant volcano. It’s an amazing place of fire and fumes, of spurting volcanic craters and smoke-belching fumaroles, a place of bubbling mineral springs, therapeutic hot mud pools, dramatic geysers, and a buried village.
This famous geothermal activity simmers and belches under approximately 12 square kilometres of the city of Rotorua. This volatile place is created when rainwater seeps down through cracks and is heated by the hot volcanic rock.
The boiling water is stored underground and bubbles up through the steaming hot pools, hot springs and geysers.
In fact, the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere is found here at Rotorua. Pohutu means ‘big splash’ or ‘explosion’ and the Pohutu Geyser certainly lives up to its name
The thermal activity is scattered all around Rotorua. Steam can be seen rising from gutters beside the road. Small steaming pools pop up in private and public land, the distinct smell of sulphur is everywhere and it’s important to watch your step and be prepared for the unexpected.
In 2022 a tourist was walking along a footpath near the Living Maori Village when a 2-metre-wide hole suddenly opened up in front of her. She fell into the sinkhole and her husband and others nearby rushed to her rescue. They were able to pull her out, but not before she was badly burned by the boiling water.
Now, a sinkhole is known as a fumarole and belches out steam and volcanic gases, often at temperatures up to 400C.
Among the famous places known for their thermal activity is the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, featuring the Lady Knox Geyser, which bursts 20 metres or nearly 70 feet into the air and erupts for an hour at a time. There’s a trick here though: the park ranger encourages the Lady Knox geyser to erupt at least once a day by pouring a bag of soap down its vent!
Warning signs are at the entrance of the attraction and everywhere inside the thermal wonderland park. Fences surround the most dangerous areas and people are warned to stay on the paths. Every visitor coming in the gates is warned to obey the signs, and staff regularly walk the tracks to keep an eye on things.
Amazingly however, some people ignore the dangers. They go into prohibited areas, they even climb barriers, either through ignorance or because they just don’t care, and refuse to heed the warnings.
There was a volcanologist who ventured into a forbidden area to take a close-up photograph and fell into a steaming pool. He was so badly burned that he spent three months recovering in the Waikato Hospital.
The Kuirau Park is another popular spot for tourists, with plopping mud, bubbling springs and deep hot pools. There are plenty of warning signs and fences, but in 2010 a young boy of eight climbed a fence and jumped into one of the boiling pools. Although he was rescued, he died in hospital of his horrific burns.
Then in the early hours of the morning of the 10th of June, 1886, Henry Roche, a surveyor camped at Te Puna-a-Tuhoe, heard a mighty roar that he thought was an approaching tornado. He leapt outside to save his tent and was surprised to see a clear sky. But then he saw a thin column of smoke rising into the air from the direction of Mt Tarawera.
Roche was witnessing the eruption of Mount Tarawera, the largest volcanic eruption to occur in New Zealand. The ground trembled at Te Wairoa, on the other side of Lake Tarawera, and hot stones smashed the windows of the local hotel. The mountain roared and scoria rained down on the inhabitants. Some buildings caved in or were set alight.
Men from Rotorua rushed to the scene and began digging out those who had survived. A number of settlements were buried and completely wiped out, including Te Wairoa, which is now known as the Buried Village and a popular tourist destination. It has been estimated that 120 people died on that fateful night.
A volcano can be a temperamental creature, and despite modern detection systems and careful monitoring, it is still difficult to know just when a volcano is going to erupt. There are usually warning signs, but they are sometimes ignored, and tragic consequences occur, as happened in December 2019.
WHAKAARI/ WHITE ISLAND
Whakaari, or White Island, is an active volcano in the Bay of Plenty, just here off the north island of New Zealand, and has been a popular tourist destination. Eager customers book a cruise or a helicopter ride for the chance to see an active volcano.
Many find it really exciting to see the steam vents and hot springs and to peer down into the throat of a volcano that had recently erupted. In fact, in December 2019, ash still covered the ground on the island from the 2016 eruption, a grim reminder that this slumbering giant could awaken at any moment.
Despite the obvious danger of an eruption, leading up to December 2019, more than 18,000 adventurous people visited White island every year and tourism was booming. Scientists kept close watch on the seismic activity, but the temperamental volcano seemed to be fairly peaceful.
However, there were some warning signs. In October 2019 there was a marked increase in volcanic tremors and sulphur dioxide gas levels. And then a strong earthquake shook the island a month later in November, and was felt even as far south as Christchurch.
Scientists elevated the danger level on the island to a Volcanic Alert Level 2, indicating ‘moderate to heightened volcanic unrest.’ But as the island had been placed at this level before, and nothing had happened, the tour operators weren’t overly worried, and it was business as usual. However, ignoring the warning signs proved to be a fatal mistake.
Helicopter excursions buzzed over the island. Small tourist boats circled the island and some even dropped passengers on the shores of White Island.
On this particular day, the cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas, was anchored near the island and offered a visit to White Island. 38 passengers took the shore excursion to the island on the morning of the 9th December, 2019.
Once on the island, tour guides led people along the path to the bubbling, steaming crater, pointing out the various features of an active volcano. There was nothing unusual at that point to indicate the impending disaster.
DISASTER STRIKES
But at 2.11pm, tourists in a catamaran who were departing from the island and heading back to the mainland, saw to their horror a white cloud of ash erupt from the crater, billow up into the sky and tumble over the edge of the cliff. It engulfed the island and darkened the sky as it rolled and rumbled into the sea. The catamaran immediately turned back to help those who were still on the island.
No one knew at that stage exactly how many people were on the island, but it was a terrifying thought to know there must be people in the middle of that deadly cloud consisting of steam up to 300 degrees Celsius.
Rocks flew into the air, travelling at speeds of up to 100m or 300 ft per second. A helicopter on the island was blown off its landing pad and lay in a mangled heap. The island turned grey as ash rained down. But despite the danger, tour operators launched inflatable dinghies and raced to the shore to rescue those waiting at the landing.
They returned with 23 survivors, all of whom had been badly burned by the steam. Mark Law, a commercial helicopter pilot from nearby Whakatane, was driving along the coast when he noticed the ominous column of cloud erupting from White Island. He knew straight away the volcano had erupted, and without a second thought raced back to his helicopter. He was well aware of the danger, but there were people to be rescued and that’s all that mattered.
Law was at White Island within an hour. He guided his helicopter to the island’s landing pad, strapped on a gas mask, and leaped out into the deep ash. He raced up to the crater and found 12 people. Sadly, eight had already died.
Two more helicopters arrived, piloted by Graeme Hopcroft, Callum Mill and Sam Jones, and these brave men also leapt out to help. Twelve people were gently loaded into three helicopters and taken to Whakatane hospital. Unfortunately, only two survived the trip due to their horrific injuries.
It turned out there were 47 people on the island on that fateful day, most of them international tourists. Twenty-two of them didn’t survive, and the rest were all injured in varying degrees, by the boiling steam and acidic fumes.
WARNING SIGNS
With such a tragic event come the inevitable questions. Why were people still allowed on the island when the warning signs indicated impending disaster? No one knew just when the volcano was going to erupt, but there had been warnings. Why were these warnings ignored?
What can we learn from this tragedy? We live with warning signs every day. These warning signs are there for our safety and protection. Warning signs tell us a road is closed, or that swimming may be dangerous in this river due to crocodiles or strong currents.
There are often warning signs before a heart attack or stroke or before an accident occurs. It’s important that we pay attention to these signs and take action before it is forever too late.
When Jesus was on earth, He often talked about the kingdom of heaven and how one day He is going to come back again. The disciples were enthusiastic and impatient and wanted to know just when this was going to happen.
In the Bible book of Matthew chapter 24, it tells us that one day the disciples came to Jesus as he was sitting on the mount of Olives and said,
“Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?” [Matthew 24:3]
Maybe they were hoping for an exact date, or a specific sign, but Jesus dashed their hopes by saying,
“about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” [Matthew 24:36]
We will never know the exact date, but Jesus proceeded to give his disciples specific signs that are like flashing beacons, for us today to tell us when His coming is near. He says, when you see these things happening, then you know it won’t be long before I return.
In Matthew Chapter 24 Jesus gives His followers the signs, warning signs, that would immediately precede His return at the end of human history as we know it. Jesus divides these warning signs into four main categories.
RELIGIOUS SIGNS
Firstly, he focuses on the Religious world.
“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, saying ‘I am the Christ’ and will deceive many.” [Matthew 24:4.5]
Jesus is telling us what’s going to happen just before He returns. Three times he warns that false Christs and false prophets will become common just before He returns. Further on He says,
“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” [Matthew 24:11]
And then,
“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even the very elect.” [Matthew 24:24]
Jesus says the last days will see the appearance of many false religious leaders. The last days will be characterized by voices coming from different corners of the religious world saying, “Follow me. I am a voice from heaven.”
Many people will claim divine light, prophetic powers, and even to be Jesus Christ himself.
That’s exactly what we see happening today. Cult groups are springing up all over the world claiming to have new divine messages.
Recently, National Geographic magazine published an article on the modern phenomena of cult leaders around the world claiming to be Jesus Christ. They featured individuals in Brazil, Japan, Africa and Russia who think they are the Messiah. These individuals have gathered large groups of followers around them. Jesus warned us that this would happen!
POLITICAL SIGNS
Jesus continued with other warning signs and moved on to the second category. The last days, Jesus said, would be characterized by worldwide Political conflict. He said,
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. For Nation will rise against Nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom… “ [Matthew 24:6,7]
Jesus pointed to international war as one of the signs of the last days. Now, the last century has seen war on a scale never seen before. We’ve had two world wars and an estimated average of 30 wars on the planet every year.
Now, to give you some idea of just how the nations are preparing for war and engaging in it, world military spending has reached an all-time high of over $2.1 trillion dollars a year. There’s a massive arms build-up taking place. And to put it into perspective in just one area, consider this.
The world’s nuclear arsenal is equal in destructive power to 4 tonnes of TNT for every man, woman and child on this planet. The major powers alone, have enough nuclear weapons stockpiled to destroy every person on earth 150 times.
Jesus said that the last days will be characterized by the nations preparing for war, with nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be wars and rumours of wars and the world will be in turmoil.
NATURAL SIGNS
Then Jesus moved onto the third category and outlined signs in the Natural world that will multiply, causing suffering and anguish.
“There will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places.” [Matthew 24:7]
Here Jesus lists 3 particular signs in the natural world that will occur with increasing frequency as we near the coming of Jesus: famines, pestilences and earthquakes. Jesus said that we will see an increase in these areas as we near the time of His return.
Now, consider Famine. The United Nations reports that 45 countries today are facing severe food shortages, mainly due to famine. 1 billion people worldwide are under nourished and chronically hungry every day, and rising food prices may drive another 100 million into poverty and hunger. Every day, 25,000 people, including 10,000 children, die from hunger and related causes.
Jesus also predicted an increase in Pestilences in the days leading up to His second coming. Now, pestilences are contagious or infectious epidemic diseases that are virulent and devastating and kill large numbers of people.
They are diseases that devastate crops and herds, or that run rampant among human beings. And then, we’ve only recently experienced a Coronavirus pandemicwith 800 million cases worldwide, and 7 million deaths.
Jesus also mentioned frequent Earthquakes in the last days. Now, there has been a huge increase in major earthquakes in recent times. Prior to the 20th Century, there were relatively few major earthquakes over 6 on the Richter scale – that had been recorded.
This century has seen the year with the largest total of major earthquakes greater than or equal to magnitude 7.
In the past 20 years we’ve seen 4 of the top earthquakes ever recorded. The number of disasters caused by earthquakes and the numbers of people affected by earthquakes has been increasing. This indicates that something out of the ordinary is going on.
SOCIAL SIGNS
Jesus then gave warning signs in the Social world. Jesus said the last days will be similar to another period in earth’s history.
“As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” [Matthew 24: 38, 39]
Jesus said the last days would be like it was in Noah’s day.
Well, what was it like in Noah’s day? We want to know, because Jesus predicted that the last days would be just the same. To find out, let’s go back to the very first book in the Bible – Genesis.
“Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the Earth… that they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.” [Genesis 6:1,2]
So, what was it like in Noah’s day? Well, two things are implied here: men began to multiply on the face of the Earth – Population Growth. Jesus indicated that the last days would see great population growth.
Then secondly, they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose – the Devaluation of Marriage.
Let’s look at population first: did you know that it took from Creation to the year 1800 A.D to reach a world population of 1 billion?
Then it took 130 years – to 1930 – to reach 2 billion
It took 30 years – 1960 – to reach 3 billion
It took 14 years – 1974 – to reach 4 billion
It took 13 years – 1987 – to reach 5 billion
It took 12 years – 1999 – to reach 6 billion
It took 12 years – 2011 – to reach 7 billion
And now we have reached over 8 billion!
Jesus also indicated the devaluation of Marriage would occur just before He returns. One area that highlights this is the divorce rate.
In 1870 there was 1 divorce for every 34 marriages.
By 1900 there was 1 divorce for every 12 marriages.
By 1930 there was 1 divorce for every 6 marriages.
And today there’s 1 divorce for every 2 marriages!
We are witnessing the warning signs that Jesus predicted. They’re happening all around us – in the religious world, the political world, the natural world, and in the social world. Now, these signs and this kind of society sounds frightening, but we don’t need to be afraid.
These are the warning signs that Jesus has given us to tell us that the end of this world as we know it is near. Luke 21:28 says,
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Jesus is our rescuer. He loves us and is longing to take us home with him to the mansion he is preparing for us in Heaven. What a glorious thought as we look forward to the second coming of Jesus. Take note of the warning signs and recognise them as a loving, yet urgent alert from our heavenly Father. It’s time to prepare!
SPECIAL OFFER AND CLOSING PRAYER
If you’d like to learn more about the signs of Jesus’ return and ways to prepare for the second coming of Jesus, then I’d like to recommend the gift we have for all our Incredible Journey viewers today.
It’s the booklet Signs of His Return. You will be astounded at the accuracy of these warnings. This booklet is our gift to you and is absolutely free. I guarantee there are no costs or obligations whatsoever. So make the most of this wonderful opportunity to receive your free gift today.
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Our Father in heaven, we thank you for letting us know that Jesus is coming soon. We are grateful that we don’t need to be afraid, knowing that you will be with us to the end of the age. We ask for understanding and courage as we face the future and pray that our loved ones will all be ready for that wonderful day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.