• Devastating landslide at Lake Taupō -

By Emily and Tess

About it-

On May 7th 1846 a devastating landslide hit Lake Taupō. Sixty people were killed by the landslide, including the then paramount Chief. This landslide has held the record ever since May 7th 1846  for the highest death toll from a landslide. The horrific landslide was caused by a smaller landslide that shut off a river causing the water flow to build up. After 3 days later the water pressure became to immence for the land to take. What was holding the water crumbled apart, causing the unblocked force of the water swept up trees, rocks, and earth causing an avalanche. The avalanche swept into the lake, bringing people down with it, with only a few lucky survivors.

In 1910, yet another landslide took another life near the old site of Te Rapa. After the 2 devastating landslides the village was abandoned, hoping to prevent deaths.

So what?-

We think that this is important to know because it killed a lot of people at our biggest lake in New Zealand. It also shows what has happened in our history in our country. As well as taking the lives of 61 people, the landslide also killed a maori chief, Mananui Te Heuheu Tūkino II.