Mt.+Tarawera+Eruption

= = Image retrieved from [], 29 June 2011. The following is an extract reprinted from a special report appearing in The New Zealand Chronicle from June 1886 in reference to the Tarawera Eruption.

"Some tourists and natives were standing on the border of the lake, when a large war canoe is said to have appeared, gliding along placid water, the Maoris standing upright, using their paddles. A Native woman who was with the tourists called to those in the canoe, but it suddenly disappeared from view. It was regarded as being a phantom canoe, an omen of the evil which has befallen their tribe. They are satisfied it was an aparition, as they have no war canoes."

Science is only one way of attempting to predict natural events such as a volcanic eruption or earthquake. In 1886 the phantom canoe was considered a sign of impending danger. Can you think of any other ways in which people try to predict coming events?

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Why would we want to learn about the Mt. Tarawera eruption?

 * ====It has cultural significance to us as New Zealander's====
 * ====It is a significant historical New Zealand natural event====
 * ====It affected the area we live in today====
 * ====We can learn from this event and in particular from the archaeological evidence preserved in the area, both about the past and how people lived and about the natural events that took place and are still taking place in the areas today.====
 * ====There is potential for this area and other areas in New Zealand to experience a similar disaster, so we need to learn from the past in order to prepare for possible future eventualities.====

* = Post your ideas about these questions on the discussion board. =
 * 1) ==== Where is Mt. Tarawera? ====
 * 2) ====What do we know about this eruption?====
 * 3) ====What other eruptions have occurred in New Zealand's known history? Was there anything different or unique about this eruption than other eruptions that have occurred in New Zealand in the past?====
 * 4) ====What are the pink and white terraces, and what made them/makes them so special?====

* = = 1. Research to find out about the different shape volcanoes. What shapes are there? What makes them different shapes? Find out what shape Mt. Tarawera was and make a model of it that can be exploded using baking soda and vinegar or some other kitchen science. You can choose to make your model from scraps such as bottles, paper etc. or create a model in the sandpit. Explain your model and share the explosion with your classmates.



====2. The pink and white terraces were considered the 8th wonder of the world. People came from other countries especially to experience them. Write a list of what you believe should be thought of as the 7 wonders of the world, then click on the icon below to watch a slideshow. No cheating! Write your list first! Use photostory to create a slideshow of your 7 wonders of the world.====



====3. Recently the pink and white terraces were rediscovered using an underwater ROV or remote operated vehicle, a kind of robot. Think about the kind of things the designers and engineers has to consider when designing a robot to explore underwater. Design your own robot that could be used to explore inside a volcano or other extreme place. Some things to think about; What features would you need to include to make sure it could get to and from it's destination (place it's going) and survive being there? What do you want to learn- what information do you want to collect, and how will you collect this?====

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====4. How do you think it would feel to discover something new or rediscover something important that was once thought lost for good? Write a journal entry as if you were an scientist or explorer who just discovered (or rediscovered) something. Describe your discovery and how it felt.==== media type="custom" key="9899077"

====5. Mt. Tarawera was devastating eruption. The ash buried the village of Wairoa killing many locals and visitors. Some of the buildings in the village have since been excavated in an archaeological dig and the remains of the buildings and artifacts can be seen by visiting the Buried Village. Visit the Buried Village and hear some of the stories as passed down from generation to generation through oratory. Take lots of photos so that on your return you can make a slideshow or powerpoint presentation to display the most interesting things you saw and learnt about.====

Image retrieved from [], 3 August 2011. *
 * Do you think if someone claimed to have seen a phantom boat on the lake today that people would take it as a warning and move away from the area?
 * Why do you think people build close to volcanoes when they are aware of the possibility that it could be dangerous?
 * Are volcanoes a good or bad thing? Do they bring anything positive to our communities?
 * What can we learn from the Mt. Tarawera eruption that we can use for the future?