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0401-02, 03, 04
NEW ZEALAND

The GeoNet project of the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences (GNS) is charged with the responsibility of setting "Volcanic Alert Levels" in the New Zealand area, via the National Civil Defence Plan. This is achieved via a series of Scientific Alert Bulletins and Media Bulletins. In New Zealand volcano surveillance is undertaken by the GeoNet project in collaboration with two Regional Councils who operate volcano-seismic networks. There is also volcano research collaboration with the New Zealand universities.

 Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Ltd
GeoNet Project
Wairakei Research Centre
Private Bag 2000
Taupo
NEW ZEALAND

Telephone :	(64) 7 374 8211
Telefax :	(64) 7 374 8199
Contact:	Bradley Scott
Email :	b.scott@gns.cri.nz
Website :	www.geonet.org.nz www.gns.cri.nz/earthact/volcanoes/index.html

 

INTRODUCTION

The Crown Research Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Ltd (GNS) (www.gns.cri.nz) replaced the New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) in1992 and has the responsibility to monitor the active volcanoes in New Zealand via the GeoNet Project (www.geonet.org.nz). Volcano investigations from Wairakei are frequently carried out in conjunction with staff of other Crown Research Institutes, regional councils, and universities.

Volcanic interests of the Wairakei Research Centre (WRC) cover the Kermadec Islands, Auckland, Taupo Volcanic Zone (White Island, Okataina, Maroa, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro volcanic centres), and Taranaki. Volcano observations are conducted in conjunction with geological, geochemical, social science, hazard assessment and geophysical studies, which also include geothermal and ground water research.

GNS staff working on the GeoNet Project include:

Mr B J Scott - Co ordinator Volcano Surveillance
Mr M Rosenberg - Volcanologist
Dr C J N Wilson - Volcanologist
Mr S Sherburn - Seismologist
Dr M Hagety - Seismologist
Dr B W Christenson - Gas chemist
Mrs K Britten - Chemistry tech.
Mr M Kilgour - Volcanology tech.
Dr D Johnston - Hazards researcher
D Keen - Electronics
Mr F Langford - Electronics
Mr C Millar - Volcano geophysics
Dr C Werner - Gas chemist
Dr T W Hurst - Volcano geophysics

NEW ZEALAND VOLCANO SURVEILLANCE

Raoul Island

Crater Lakes Hydrology
Geochemistry
Seismic Recorder
Lake Levelling

White Island

Seismic
Geochemistry
Deformation
Eruption observations
Volcano Cameras

Okataina Volcanic Centre

Volcano-Seismic Network
Lake Levelling
Crater Lakes (Waimangu)
EDM Networks
GPS Network

Rotorua Volcanic Centre

Volcano-Seismic Network
Geothermal observations

Taupo Volcanic Centre

Volcano-Seismic Network
Lake Levelling
GPS Network
EDM Network

Tongariro Volcanic Centre

Volcano-Seismic Network
Geochemistry
Volcano cameras

Taranaki Volcanic Centre

Volcano-Seismic Network

Auckland Volcanic Centre

Volcano-Seismic Network

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Further reading
- Late Cenozoic Volcanism in New Zealand, I E M Smith (ed). royal Society of NZ Bulletin No.23, 1986: 370 p.

- Volcanic Hazards Assessment in New Zealand. Gregory, J.G., Watters, W.A. (eds). International Volcanological Congress. NZ Geological Survey Record 10, 1986: 104 p.

- Active Volcanoes and Geothermal Systems, Taupo Volcanic Zone. International Volcanological Congress. NZ Geological Survey Record 22, 1987: 152 p.

- The 1976-82 eruption sequence at White Island volcano (Whakaari), Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Houghton, B.F., Nairn, I.A. (eds). NZ Geological Survey Bulletin 103, 1989: 138 p.

NZ Ministry of Emergency Management and Civil Defence Volcanic Hazards Information Series:
1. Egmont Volcano
2. Okataina Volcanic Centre
3. White Island
4. The Kermadec Islands
5. Auckland
6. Mayor Island
7. Taupo Volcanic Centre
8. Ruapehu volcano

See http://www.gns.cri.nz/earthact/volcanoes/nzvolcanoes/nzvolcanoes.html

SECONDARY VOLCANO SURVEILLANCE ORGANISATIONS

 

Auckland Regional Council
Hazard Management
Private Bag 92012
AUCKLAND

Telephone :	64 9 3662000 (ext 8903)
Telefax :	64 9 3734907
Contact:	Louise Chick
Email :	louise.chick@arc.govt.nz
Website :	www.arc.govt.nz

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) operates a volcano-seismic network about the Auckland volcanic field. Data are telemetered to the ARC centre and digitally recorded in real-time. Operation and data analysis are conducted in collaboration with GNS and the geology department, University of Auckland.

 

Taranaki Regional Council
Taranaki Emergency Operations Centre
45 Robe Street
NEW PLYMOUTH

 

Telephone :	(64) 6 758 1110
Telefax :	(64) 6 757 8019
Contact:	Mrs B Raine, Snr Regional EM Officer
Email :	bev.raine@trc.govt.nz
Website :	www.trc.govt.nz

The Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) operates a volcano-seismic network around Egmont volcano. Presently the network has 6 seismometers and data are digitally recorded at the TEMO. Operation and data analysis are conducted in collaboration with GNS.

RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS

University of Canterbury
Geology Department
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch

Telephone :	(64) 3 364 2766
Telefax :	(64) 3 364 2769
Contact:	Professor J.W. Cole
Email :	j.cole@geol.canterbury.ac.nz
Website :	www.geol.canterbury.ac.nz/

 

Scientific staff :

Professor J.W. Cole - Volcanology, petrology
Assoc. Prof. S.D. Weaver - Petrology, geochemistry

Collaborates with staff of Wairakei Research Centre, (GNS) in volcanological studies of deposits from Taupo Volcanic Zone and other New Zealand volcanoes.

University of Auckland
Geology Department
Private Bag 92 019
Auckland

 

Telephone :	(64) 9 373 7599
Telefax :	(64) 9 373 7435
Contact:	Dr I E M Smith
Email :	ie.smith@auckland.ac.nz
Website :	www2.auckland.ac.nz/glg/geoweb/home.htm

The University of Auckland collaborates with (GNS) and the Auckland and Taranaki Regional Councils over operation of the volcano-seismic networks. It is also involved in collaborative research on volcano problems.

 

Victoria University of Wellington
Geology Department
P.O. Box 600
Wellington

Telephone :	(64) 4 463-5961
Telefax :	(64) 4 463-5186
Contact:	Dr Martha Savage Martha.Savage@vuw.ac.nz

Victoria University Institute of Geophysics is involved in collaborative research in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, including studies of shear-wave splitting as a precursor to eruptions.

Information updated January 2004

 

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