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Monitoring Volcanoes

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New Zealand is very young and active geologically and therefore is prone to geohazards. By monitoring, modelling and detecting geohazards people can be more prepared for them. In New Zealand the GeoNet project (funded by EQC) does the monitoring.

New Zealand is geologically active and therefore at risk from geohazards. By monitoring, modelling and finding geohazards people can be ready for them. In New Zealand the GeoNet project does the monitoring.

Monitoring seismic activity

GNS Science runs the GeoNet project. EQC funds this project. GeoNet monitors New Zealand's earthquakes, large and small. It also monitors our active fault lines to understand past events and prepare for the future.

Monitoring active volcanoes

There are 12 active volcanic areas in New Zealand. The probability of an eruption affecting a large area is relatively low in any one year. But New Zealand still needs to be prepared for different types of volcanic eruptions.

GeoNet maintains permanent surveillance at active volcanoes. This monitoring detects the early signs of increased seismic and volcanic activity. This equipment is also used to analyse the impacts of eruptions and model future eruptions.

Warning signs

Before a volcanic eruption there may be the following signs as magma moves towards the surface:

  • earthquakes
  • increase in hydrothermal activity
  • changes in temperature of hydrothermal areas
  • changes in gases and heat emitted from volcanic vents
  • land deformation (swelling or sinking of the ground)

The ECLIPSE Programme

To prepare for future eruptions we need to understand what type of eruptions are possible. The ECLIPSE programme aims to understand New Zealand’s largest volcanic eruptions. ECLIPSE stands for Eruption or Catastrophe: Learning to Implement Preparedness for future Supervolcano Eruptions.

Every few decades the Taupō Volcanic Zone (TVZ) experiences unrest. Every few hundred years it erupts. These eruptions can be very small and short lived, or more rarely, enormous on a global scale.

Scientists face huge challenges in predicting future eruptions. These challenges include:

  • deciding if unrest will lead to an eruption
  • estimating the timing and impacts of any future eruptions (of whatever size)
  • working out the probability of another super-eruption.

The ECLIPSE Programme aims to reduce uncertainty around future volcanic unrest episodes and eruptions. It brings together many New Zealand and overseas experts. The ECLIPSE Programme has the following research aims:

  1. To create a ‘caldera health system’ to diagnose the current volcanic conditions.
  2. Identify what causes switches between dormancy, unrest and eruption.
  3. Produce tools to help organisations that will co-ordinate a response to eruption events.
  4. Create models to estimate impacts for future events.
  5. Create strategies to minimise the impacts of future eruptions based on eruption hazard and impact models.

Ready for a quiz? Try the "Monitoring Volcanoes" activity.

Monitoring earthquakes

GNS Science runs the GeoNet project. EQC funds this project. GeoNet monitors New Zealand's earthquakes, large and small. It also monitors our active fault lines to understand past events and prepare for the future.

Monitoring active volcanoes

There are 12 active volcanic areas in New Zealand. The chance of an eruption affecting a large area is low in any one year. But New Zealand still needs to prepare for eruptions.

GeoNet monitors New Zealand's active volcanoes. Equipment picks up the early signs of increasing volcanic activity. This equipment is also used to:

  • measure the impacts of eruptions
  • model future eruptions.

Warning signs

Before a volcanic eruption magma moves up towards the surface. This can cause:

  • earthquakes
  • increase in hydrothermal activity
  • changes in temperature of hydrothermal areas
  • changes in gases and heat coming from volcanic vents
  • swelling or sinking of the ground

The ECLIPSE Programme

To prepare for future eruptions we need to know what type of eruptions could happen. The ECLIPSE programme aims to understand New Zealand’s largest volcanic eruptions. This knowledge will help people prepare for future eruptions.

The Taupō Volcanic Zone (TVZ) often shows signs of volcanic unrest. This activity does not always lead to eruptions. Knowing when an eruption will happen and how big it will be is very difficult. This is what scientists in the ECLIPSE team are working on. The team brings together many New Zealand and overseas experts.

The ECLIPSE Programme aims to:

  1. Understand the activity levels of the TVZ better
  2. Find out what causes changes between activity levels and what triggers an eruption.
  3. Create tools to help experts respond to an eruption.
  4. Create models to show possible impacts of future eruptions.
  5. Come up with ways to reduce the impacts of future eruptions.

Ready for a quiz? Try the "Monitoring Volcanoes" activity.

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Visit the GeoNet website to learn more about monitoring geohazards.

Visit the GeoNet website to learn more about monitoring geohazards.



GNS Science looks after the GeoNet project which monitors earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides and tsunami. This is a seismometer to measure ground movement; how do you think it works? Image: LEARNZ.

This seismic monitoring equipment on Mount Ruapehu can detect earthquakes caused by rising magma and increasing volcanic activity levels. Image: GNS Science.

Scientists monitor the chemistry and temperature of crater lakes to detect changes in volcanic activity levels. Image: GNS Science.

Brad Scott from GNS Science completes a survey to monitor changes in the ground caused by volcanic activity. Image: GNS Science.

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