Volcano Erupts At Ski Resort

A volcano at a ski resort on New Zealand’s northern island erupted Saturday, firing plumes of ash, rocks and steam into the air and unleashing three mudflows from the crater.

Skiers were evacuated from the area around Mount Ruapehu, about 150 miles north of the capital Wellington, to Whakapapa village, on the lower slopes of the mountain, said Detective Sgt. Derek Webb of the Taumaranui police.

Seven badly shaken but uninjured hikers were picked up by authorities near the volcano’s crater lake, Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio said. There were no immediate reports of missing or injured.