1886 — 3 pages. Plus a fold-out colour map measuring approximately 7 x 7.5 inches (18 x 19cm). Original condition with blue wrappers, titles to front, and containing all the ads. This is a complete issue, seldom found in such good and original condition. A brief account accompanied by an an incredible early colour map of the deadly volcanic explosions in the Tarawera districts of New Zealand. Tarawera Mountain is a volcanic peak, situated on the North Island, New Zealand, in Rotorua. Its eruption in 1886 destroyed villages and unique silica terraces, transformed local terrain, and temporarily drained Lake Rotomahana. June 10th 1886, shortly after midnight, earthquakes are felt in Te Wairoa and Rotorua. The area is renowned for tremors and no-one is too worried. Residents sleep blissfully unaware of the impending danger. Around 1:30am there is a violent earthquake followed by the sound of an explosion. Sleepy residents look in terror across the lake to see Tarawera's Wahanga dome, exploding into life. The eruption cloud was about 9.5 km high and easily visible, being lit up by the mountain's continuing eruption and accompanying lightning storm. For half an hour, the spell bound residents stare in awe at the scene before them, a few sense the danger and head toward the safety of nearby Rotorua. At 2.00am, there is a second explosion as the Ruawahia peak, and then the Tarawera peak erupt with all the fury that mother nature can muster. So loud was the second explosion, that it was heard in Christchurch over 800 kilometres south. In Wellington 400km south, locals believed that Russians were invading New Zealand by way of bombing. The amazing lightning storm above the second Tarawera eruption was visible as lights in the sky from New Zealand's South Island. Eyewitnesses near the mountain reported that Mount Tarawera had split open, and that a huge column of fire could be seen shooting up into the air and forming a black cloud of smoke and ash. In fact, a 17km fissure had been created down the length of the Tarawera complex. Near Rotorua, New Zealand: At 2:00am 10 June 1886, terrified families awoke to a rumbling giant, the noise was heard over 500 kilometres away. The mountain, lit by a tremendous display of lightning, rained ash upon her neighbours and began the deadly renovation of her buried landscape. This spectacular map provides the visual account of Mount Tarawera, the volcano that stole more than life.
