2006

Archived items from 2006.

article: Jan 1 2006 - Principal earthquakes of New Zealand in 2005

It was an average year for earthquake activity in New Zealand in 2005, with two events of magnitude over 6.0, and 24 in the magnitude range 5.0 to 5.9. Of these, ten occurred at depths greater than 100 km. A total of 390 events were reported felt through the GeoNet website during this year.

article: Jan 18 2006 - Web Site Update

The GeoNet web site has been updated today.

article: Mar 17 2006 - Raoul Island Volcano Eruption

At about 8.21 am this morning a volcanic eruption began at Raoul Island. Based on data from a seismograph on the island the eruption appears to have continued for up to 30 minutes, although the most intense part of the eruption lasted for only 5 to 10 minutes. The eruption in the Green Lake area appears to have ejected mud and rocks with a steam plume visible on the island.

article: Mar 23 2006 - Signs of Increased Pressure at Raoul

Scientists who flew over Raoul Island on Tuesday say the hydrothermal system under the island is showing signs of over-pressuring, and further eruptions cannot be ruled out.

article: Apr 13 2006 - White Island Camera Changes

The camera at Whakatane trained at White Island has been upgraded and moved to a raised site above the town.

article: Jun 15 2006 - Activity and Observations at Ngauruhoe

Seismic activity at Ngauruhoe remains elevated, although it has declined to 10 to 20 volcanic earthquakes per day from a peak of approximately 50 per day in early June. The largest earthquakes are approximately magnitude 1. Locations for the earthquakes place them 1 to 4 km deep and slightly to the north or east of the summit.

article: Jul 4 2006 - Update on Ngauruhoe Observations

Since our last update three weeks ago the number of volcanic earthquakes recorded near Ngauruhoe has varied between approximately 20 and 40 per day. This level remains significantly above that normally recorded in this area. Using data from additional seismographs installed around Ngauruhoe we have been able to refine the location of the earthquakes to within about 1 km of the surface beneath the northern flank of Ngauruhoe. The largest earthquakes are approximately magnitude one.

article: Aug 14 2006 - GeoNet News, Issue 6

The latest issue of our newsletter "GeoNet News" is released today.

article: Sep 12 2006 - Sonic Boom over Canterbury

Reports have come in regarding a sonic boom and ground shaking just before 3 pm this afternoon.

article: Sep 16 2006 - Central New Zealand Shakes

A moderate earthquake struck central New Zealand at 11:43 pm last night. It was a magnitude 5.0 shake, and its epicentre was located in the northern Cook Strait west of Paraparaumu.

article: Sep 22 2006 - Small Earthquakes Shake the Bay of Islands

Over the past three days at least six separate earthquakes have shaken the Bay of Islands. All of them were centred near Takou Bay, approximately 13 km north of Kerikeri. The most strongly felt earthquake was a magnitude 3.5, and was 5 km deep. The other earthquakes were smaller, and deeper, therefore they were not so strongly felt. It is possible that these earthquakes could continue, but we do not expect them to get bigger.

article: Oct 4 2006 - Quakes Near Fox Glacier

An interesting sequence of earthquakes occurred south of Fox Glacier township overnight on October 2/3.

article: Oct 5 2006 - Ruapehu Eruption Cannot Be Confirmed

GNS Science cannot confirm if an eruption accompanied last night's volcanic earthquake at Ruapehu as an attempt this morning to the view the crater lake area from an aircraft failed due to poor weather. The Alert Level remains at 1, signs of volcano unrest.

article: Oct 7 2006 - Minor Eruption Now Confirmed

A visit to the summit crater lake of Ruapehu today has confirmed a small hydrothermal eruption has occurred. As suspected, the volcanic earthquake recorded on Wednesday night, which triggered the lahar warning system, did produce a small eruption. The effects of the eruption are minimal and confined to the lake basin.

article: Oct 16 2006 - Shaking Maps Released

We now have maps of earthquake shaking intensity viewable for each earthquake on the web site.