Hatepe eruption , named for the Hatepe Plinian pumice tephra layer , sometimes referred to as the Taupo eruption and dated to around 180 AD , was Lake Taupo 's most recent major eruption . It is considered New Zealand 's largest eruption during the last 20,000 years . The eruption ejected some , of which was ejected in a few minutes . This makes it one of the most violent eruptions in the last 5000 years , comparable to the Minoan eruption in the 2nd millennium BC , the 946 eruption of Paektu Mountain and the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora . The resulting ash turned the sky red over Rome and China
946 eruption of Paektu Mountain
946 eruption of Paektu Mountain
Hatepe eruption