Minor volcanic unrest continues at Whakaari/White Island
Although a short-lived burst of seismic activity occurred on 1 June, volcanic activity at Whakaari/White Island remains at low levels. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
Mt Ruapehu status update: volcanic activity remains at low level, Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) down to 26°C
Following the period of heightened unrest activity in December 2020, volcanic activity at Mt Ruapehu has remained at a low level over the past six months, with gas emissions, lake chemistry and volcanic tremor all within typical ranges. After the December period of high temperatures, Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) cooled then reheated in early April before cooling again now to around 26°C. The Volcanic Alert Level at Mt Ruapehu remains at Level 1.
Slow-slip event off the coast of Pōrangahau
Scientists have been monitoring a slow slip event off the east coast near Pōrangahau that started in the last week of May.
Tech Tales: New tsunami gauge for Christchurch
Following years of planning and preparation, Christchurch’s new tsunami gauge at the New Brighton Pier has been installed.
Minor volcanic unrest continues at Whakaari/White Island
Despite a short-lived burst of activity on 29 April, volcanic activity at Whakaari/White Island remains at low levels. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
Mt Ruapehu status update: volcanic activity remains at low level, Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) at 40°C
Following the period of heightened activity in December 2020, volcanic activity at Mt Ruapehu has since remained at low level over the last three months, with gas emissions, lake chemistry and volcanic tremor all within typical ranges. After a temporary cooling period, the Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature is now back to around 40 °C. The Volcanic Alert Level at Mt Ruapehu remains at Level 1.
Deep earthquakes and beach balls – what’s happening under the North Island?
Last week (23 March) over 1200 people reported feeling an earthquake in the Bay of Plenty, although many of these reports were far from the quake itself. Today we explore the science of deep earthquakes in the North Island and why this phenomena happens.
Landslides on Raoul Island from recent earthquakes
The landscape on Raoul Island is dominated by steep forested slopes of the volcanic Raoul caldera and rugged coastal cliffs. Following the March 5 M8.1 earthquake, our team of experts discovered over 300 new landslides on the island.
Tech Tales – An urgent trip to Raoul Island
After plans to depart for Raoul Island for maintenance on 1 March were stalled due to COVID-19 alert level changes, our team had planned to depart for Raoul Island on 8 March. Then three large offshore earthquakes and tsunami occurred on 5 March.
Further minor tremor and steam bursts, explosions
Two short-lived episodes of low-energy volcanic tremor occurred on 11 and 12 March at Whakaari/White Island, following similar episodes in mid-February and early March. Since then activity has returned to typical low-levels. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.