New Zealand's Mount Tongariro erupted for the first time in 115 years. Flights were cancelled and roads closed after the eruption yesterday evening at about 11:50 pm local time. The eruption sent an ash cloud five miles into the atmosphere. An alert was issued July 20th regarding the volcano's possible eruption, but when it came, it wasn't expected and it surprised authorities.
The smell of sulfur was reported 80 miles away from the volcano, on the east coast of the North Island. In February 2011, a significant earthquake occurred just outside of Christchurch, on the South Island and 185 people were killed and countless buildings were destroyed, although the deaths were not widely publicized.
More volcanoes are erupting and great earthquake stats continue to climb, unlike we have ever seen in history. These events were foretold by the prophet Joel and Peter in Acts 2:19, "I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath, blood, fire and vapor of smoke." Jesus also said these things would precede His return, "There will be great earthquakes in various places, famines, pestilences, and fearful sights and there will be great signs from heaven" Luke 21:11.
