New Zealand hit by Earthquake scientists warn about volcano Eruption*

WELLINGTON, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2008

New Zealand scientists warned people Friday to stay away from the
country's most active volcano after an earthquake rocked the region.

An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale centred 10 kilometres
(six miles) from volcanic White Island was widely felt in the nearby Bay
of Plenty region in the northeast of the North Island at 9:06 am (2106 GMT).

The quake, which had a focus five kilometres deep, led to concerns there
could be renewed volcanic activity on White Island, which lies 48
kilometres off the Bay of Plenty coast.

"We would recommend no visits to the island for the next 48 to 72
hours," vulcanologist Brad Scott said.

"The potential for eruptive activity will be higher during that period."

White Island is New Zealand's largest volcano and is visited by around
10,000 people every year.

The volcano last erupted in 2000 and was particularly active between
1976 and 1993.

There were no reports of damage from Friday's earthquake.