Lingering ash from a volcanic eruption in New Zealand disrupted flights across parts of the North Island on Thursday, as scientists warned the mountain could blow again at any time.
Mount Tongariro, in the centre of the North Island, erupted for the second time in four months on Wednesday after lying dormant for more than a century, spewing a column of ash three kilometres into the atmosphere.
Air New Zealand said flights to Rotorua resumed early on Thursday, but services to Taupo and Gisborne would be subject to cancellations and delays until the ash cloud cleared, likely later in the day.
“The airline is working with the relevant authorities to safely make adjustments to flight routes to ensure aircraft remain clear of any ash and keep providing a safe service to the travelling public,” it said.
The official monitoring body GNS Science said the volcano, which was used as a backdrop to Peter Jackson’s hugely successful The Lord of the Rings films, was quiet overnight but remained unpredictable.
“We [can] expect another eruption of similar size at any time during the next few weeks,” vulcanologist Brad Scott said. “Eruptions are not expected to escalate in size.”
