DEVORA and affiliated AVF researchers (Drs Jan Lindsay, Graham Leonard, Brad Scott, Kate Lewis Kenedi, and Shane Cronin), hosted by Auckland Council, ran the inaugural Auckland Volcanic Field Volcanic Hazards Short Course offered through the Hazard Hub @ University of Auckland. The course is designed for organisational stakeholders who may have limited or basic knowledge of volcanic hazards and the Auckland Volcanic Field.
On 16 February 2017, 16 participants from Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management, New Zealand Police, and the NZ Transport Agency participated in the all-day Foundation Level 1 Short Course in the beautiful Town Hall Council Chambers. Morning presentations and information packets provided key information as a basis for understanding the possible hazards associated with the Auckland Volcanic Field, e.g. ash fall and lava flows. Participants then worked together in interactive sessions to get a feel for what information scientists need to help forecast eruptions, what might happen before and during an eruption, and the difficulties associated with predicting volcanic activity.