Our volcanic story

Our volcanic present

Understand today’s volcanic field

  • 0 Volcanic Alert Level
  • 1.5 million people who could need to evacuate
  • 214 suburbs exposed

DEVORA scientists including geologists, hazard analysts and volcanologists are studying what we might expect during an eruption.

We’re developing tools and models that will help emergency management and lifeline organisations to prepare for eruption and evacuation, alongside the fire and property loss that might occur. We also work with Earth Sciences New Zealand and GeoNet, who monitor the field for warning signs that an eruption is coming.

The Auckland Volcanic Field currently has a NZ Volcanic Alert Level of ‘0.’ No volcanic activity (gases, deformation, seismicity, etc.) has ever been detected in the history of monitoring the field.

Volcanic activity can include a variety of hazards.

Find out more about what to do before, during and after volcanic activity in Auckland at Auckland Emergency Management.

Seismic monitoring

The Auckland Volcanic Field is monitored as part of the GeoNet programme. This is run by Earth Sciences NZ and co-funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) and Land Information NZ (LINZ).

Keeping an eye on the volcanic activity below Auckland involves monitoring for seismic activity and occasional gas surveys of the ground. We’re looking for small earthquakes or changes in gas emissions that might precede an eruption. In particular, we look for earthquakes that first appear at the base of the crust (30 km deep) and get shallower over time as magma ascends. Deeper earthquakes in the mantle may give us clues of early magma movement, but these can be more difficult to detect.

Seismic monitoring includes an array of seismometers, deformation-detecting GNSS (GPS) and satellite radar, which GeoNet scientists use to make ground movement maps. In Auckland, GeoNet installs seismometers in deep boreholes to get away from the noise of the city vibrations which could mask volcanic signals. The monitors are so sensitive they pick up the quiet at morning and afternoon tea and during COVID lockdowns! They also pick up seismicity from rugby matches and concerts (GeoNet has a seismogram signed by the Foo Fighters, which was caused by their concert).

GeoNet upgrades their monitoring capability as new technology become available or as old boreholes collapse.

Keep reading

More about our volcanic present