New Zealand volcano erupts

Steam spills from Mt Tongariro after the mountain erupted for the first time in over 100 years on Aug. 8, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. Mt Tongariro erupted intermittently from 1855 to 1897. Although not an immediate threat to the community, the latest eruption may be the beginning of weeks, months or even years of volcanic activity.

Steam spills from Mt Tongariro after the mountain erupted for the first time in over 100 years on Aug. 8, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

Road signs are coated in ash on state highway one after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

Dr. Jon Procter from Massey University holds an ash sample after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

A motorist is surrounded by a cloud of ash on state highway one after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

Karen Martin helps clean up ash at a friends' property after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

Local resident Dale Martin helps clean up ash at a friends' property after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

Dr. Jon Procter from Massey University collects an ash sample after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

A pair of glasses are covered in ash after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

A truck kicks up a cloud of ash on state highway one after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

Josh Martin, 14, and mother Karen Martin pose while cleaning up a friends' property after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

A rugby ball is covered in ash after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

Plants and rocks are covered in ash after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

Karen Martin shows off the ash stuch to her gumboots after Mt Tongariro erupted on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.

Steam spills from Mt Tongariro on Aug. 7, 2012, in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand.